Skin \Skin\, n. [Icel. skinn; akin to Sw. skinn, Dan. skind, AS.
scinn, G. schined to skin.]
1. (Anat.) The external membranous integument of an animal.
[1913 Webster]
Note: In man, and the vertebrates generally, the skin consist
of two layers, an outer nonsensitive and nonvascular
epidermis, cuticle, or skarfskin, composed of cells
which are constantly growing and multiplying in the
deeper, and being thrown off in the superficial,
layers; and an inner sensitive, and vascular dermis,
cutis, corium, or true skin, composed mostly of
connective tissue.
[1913 Webster]
2. The hide of an animal, separated from the body, whether
green, dry, or tanned; especially, that of a small animal,
as a calf, sheep, or goat.
[1913 Webster]
3. A vessel made of skin, used for holding liquids. See
Bottle, 1. "Skins of wine." --Tennyson.
[1913 Webster]
4. The bark or husk of a plant or fruit; the exterior coat of
fruits and plants.
[1913 Webster]
5. (Naut.)
(a) That part of a sail, when furled, which remains on the
outside and covers the whole. --Totten.
(b) The covering, as of planking or iron plates, outside
the framing, forming the sides and bottom of a vessel;
the shell; also, a lining inside the framing.
[1913 Webster]
Skin friction, Skin resistance (Naut.), the friction, or
resistance, caused by the tendency of water to adhere to
the immersed surface (skin) of a vessel.
Skin graft (Surg.), a small portion of skin used in the
process of grafting. See Graft, v. t., 2.
Skin moth (Zool.), any insect which destroys the prepared
skins of animals, especially the larva of Dermestes and
Anthrenus.
Skin of the teeth, nothing, or next to nothing; the least
possible hold or advantage. --Job xix. 20.
Skin wool, wool taken from dead sheep.
[1913 Webster]
|