— skinlike , adj.
/skin/ , n. , v. , skinned, skinning , adj.
n.
1. the external covering or integument of an animal body, esp. when soft and flexible.
2. such an integument stripped from the body of an animal, esp. a small animal; pelt: a beaver skin.
3. the tanned or treated pelt or hide of an animal, esp. when used in apparel and accessories; leather (usually used in combination): pigskin; calfskin.
4. any integumentary covering, casing, outer coating, or surface layer, as an investing membrane, the rind or peel of fruit, or a film on liquid: a skin of thin ice; the aluminum skin of an airplane.
5. Jewelry.
a. the outermost layer of a pearl.
b. the outermost layer of a diamond as found: often different in color and refraction from the inner part of the stone.
6. Naut.
a. the shell or ceiling of a hull.
b. the outer, exposed part of a furled sail.
7. Metall. an outer layer of a metal piece having characteristics differing from those of the interior.
8. a container made of animal skin, used for holding liquids, esp. wine.
9. Slang. condom.
10. skins , Slang. drums.
11. Slang. a swindler; cheat.
12. Slang. a skinflint.
13. Slang. a horse.
14. Slang. a dollar bill.
15. Rocketry. the outer surface of a missile or rocket.
16. by the skin of one's teeth , Informal. by an extremely narrow margin; just barely; scarcely: We made the last train by the skin of our teeth.
17. get under one's skin , Slang.
a. to irritate; bother: His laugh really gets under my skin.
b. to affect deeply; impress; penetrate: That sort of music always gets under my skin.
18. have a thick skin , to be insensitive to criticism or rebuffs: The complaint desk is a job for someone who has a thick skin.
19. have a thin skin , to be extremely sensitive to criticism or rebuffs; be easily offended: Be careful what you say to me, I have a thin skin.
20. in or with a whole skin , without harm; unscathed; safely: She escaped from the burning building with a whole skin.
21. no skin off one's back, nose , or teeth , Slang. of no interest or concern or involving no risk to one.
22. save one's skin , Informal. to avoid harm, esp. to escape death: They betrayed their country to save their skins.
23. under the skin , in essence; fundamentally; despite appearances or differences: sisters under the skin.
v.t.
24. to strip or deprive of skin; flay; peel; husk.
25. to remove or strip off (any covering, outer coating, surface layer, etc.).
26. to scrape or rub a small piece of skin from (one's hand, leg, etc.), as in falling or sliding against something: She skinned her knee.
27. to urge on, drive, or whip (a draft animal, as a mule or ox).
28. to climb or jump: He skinned the rope to the top of the wall.
29. to cover with or as if with skin.
30. Slang. to strip of money or belongings; fleece, as in gambling.
31. Cards. to slide cards one at a time off the top of (the pack) in dealing.
32. Slang. to defeat completely: skinned at the polls.
33. Slang. to castigate; reprimand: skinned for his disobedience.
v.i.
34. Slang. to slip off or depart hurriedly (often followed by out ).
35. skin alive , Informal.
a. to reprimand; scold.
b. to subdue completely, esp. in a cruel or ruthless manner: The home team was skinned alive this afternoon.
adj.
36. -
a. Slang. showing or featuring nude persons, often in a sexually explicit way: a skin magazine.
b. presenting films, stage shows, exhibitions, etc., that feature nude persons, esp. in a sexually explicit way: a Times Square skin house.
[ 1150-1200; ME (n.) skinn; c. dial. G Schinde skin of fruit ]
Syn. 2. fur. SKIN, HIDE, PELT are names for the outer covering of animals, including humans. SKIN is the general word: an abrasion of the skin; the skin of a muskrat. HIDE applies to the skin of large animals, as cattle, horses, or elephants: a buffalo hide. PELT applies to the untanned skin of smaller animals: a mink pelt. 4. hull, shell, husk, crust.