/bohn/ , n. , v. , boned, boning , adv.
n.
1. Anat. , Zool.
a. one of the structures composing the skeleton of a vertebrate.
b. the hard connective tissue forming the substance of the skeleton of most vertebrates, composed of a collagen-rich organic matrix impregnated with calcium, phosphate, and other minerals.
2. such a structure from an edible animal, usually with meat adhering to it, as an article of food: Pea soup should be made with a ham bone.
3. any of various similarly hard or structural animal substances, as ivory or whalebone.
4. something made of or resembling such a substance.
5. a small concession, intended to pacify or quiet; a conciliatory bribe or gift: The administration threw the student protesters a couple of bones, but refused to make any basic changes in the curriculum or requirements.
6. bones ,
a. the skeleton.
b. a body: Let his bones rest in peace.
c. Games Slang. dice.
d. ( cap. ) See Mr. Bones.
e. a simple rhythm instrument consisting of two sometimes curved bars or short strips of bone, ivory, wood, or the like, held between the fingers of one hand and clacked together.
7. the color of bone; ivory or off-white.
8. a flat strip of whalebone or other material for stiffening corsets, petticoats, etc.; stay.
9. Games Slang. a domino.
10. feel in one's bones , to think or feel intuitively: She felt in her bones that it was going to be a momentous day.
11. have a bone to pick with someone , to have cause to disagree or argue with someone: The teacher had a bone to pick with him because his homework paper was identical with his neighbor's.
12. make no bones about ,
a. to deal with in a direct manner; act or speak openly: He makes no bones about his dislike of modern music.
b. to have no fear of or objection to.
13. to the bone ,
a. to the essentials; to the minimum: The government cut social service programs to the bone.
b. to an extreme degree; thoroughly: chilled to the bone.
v.t.
14. to remove the bones from: to bone a turkey.
15. to put whalebone or another stiffener into (clothing).
16. Agric. to put bone meal into (feed, fertilizer, etc.).
17. bone up , Informal. to study intensely; cram: We're going to have to bone up for the exam.
adv.
18. completely; absolutely: bone tired.
[ bef. 900; ME bo ( o ) n , OE ban; c. OFris, OS ben, D been bone, ON bein bone, leg, G Bein leg ( -bein bone, in compounds); bainan (neut.), prob. orig. ptp. (cf. OIr benaid (he) hews), meaning "lopped off," from butchering of animals; orig. in phrase * bainan astan lopped-off bone or branch (hence, "leg," as a branch of the body); r. * astan bone Host- ( > L os ( s ), Albanian asht, Avestan ast-, Hittite hast-ai ), which fell together in Gmc with * astaz branch ( > G Ast ) osdos ( > Gk ózos, Armenian ost ) ]