skeleton shrimp
    n 1: small amphipod crustacean having a grotesque form
         suggestive of the praying mantis; found chiefly on seaweed

Shrimp \Shrimp\, n. [OE. shrimp; -- probably so named from its
   shriveled appearance. See Shrimp, v.]
   1. (Zool.)
      (a) Any one of numerous species of macruran Crustacea
          belonging to Crangon and various allied genera,
          having a slender body and long legs. Many of them are
          used as food. The larger kinds are called also
          prawns. See Illust. of Decapoda.
      (b) In a more general sense, any species of the macruran
          tribe Caridea, or any species of the order
          Schizopoda, having a similar form.
      (c) In a loose sense, any small crustacean, including some
          amphipods and even certain entomostracans; as, the
          fairy shrimp, and brine shrimp. See under Fairy, and
          Brine.
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   2. Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; -- in
      contempt.
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            This weak and writhled shrimp.        --Shak.
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   Opossum shrimp. (Zool.) See under Opossum.

   Spector shrimp, or Skeleton shrimp (Zool.), any slender
      amphipod crustacean of the genus Caprella and allied
      genera. See Illust. under Laemodopoda.

   Shrimp catcher (Zool.), the little tern (Sterna minuta).
      

   Shrimp net, a dredge net fixed upon a pole, or a sweep net
      dragged over the fishing ground.
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Skeleton \Skel"e*ton\, a.
   Consisting of, or resembling, a skeleton; consisting merely
   of the framework or outlines; having only certain leading
   features of anything; as, a skeleton sermon; a skeleton
   crystal.
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   Skeleton bill, a bill or draft made out in blank as to the
      amount or payee, but signed by the acceptor. [Eng.]

   Skeleton key, a key with nearly the whole substance of the
      web filed away, to adapt it to avoid the wards of a lock;
      a master key; -- used for opening locks to which it has
      not been especially fitted.

   Skeleton leaf, a leaf from which the pulpy part has been
      removed by chemical means, the fibrous part alone
      remaining.

   Skeleton proof, a proof of a print or engraving, with the
      inscription outlined in hair strokes only, such proofs
      being taken before the engraving is finished.

   Skeleton regiment, a regiment which has its complement of
      officers, but in which there are few enlisted men.

   Skeleton shrimp (Zool.), a small crustacean of the genus
      Caprella. See Illust. under Laemodipoda.
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