exoskeleton

[ ek-soh-skel-i-tn ]

noun

, Zoology.

1. an external covering or integument, especially when hard, as the shells of crustaceans ( endoskeleton ).

exoskeleton

/ ˌɛksəʊˈskɛlɪtən /

noun

1. the protective or supporting structure covering the outside of the body of many animals, such as the thick cuticle of arthropods Compare endoskeleton

exoskeleton

/ ĕk′sō-skĕl′ĭ-tn /

1. A hard, protective outer body covering of an animal, such as an insect, crustacean, or mollusk. The exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans are largely made of chitin.
2. Compare endoskeleton

Derived Forms

• ˌexoˈskeletal, adjective

Other Words From

• exo·skele·tal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exoskeleton¹

First recorded in 1840–50; exo- + skeleton

Example Sentences

What’s happening, Boyes explains, isn’t that the caterpillars are actually ending their growth with more meat in their exoskeleton.

From Popular-Science

Fossil exoskeletons of whole beetles lack the joints needed to fully classify them.

From Science News For Students

The whole beetles’ fossilized exoskeletons lacked the joints needed for classification, but by piecing together the fragmented beetles, the researchers were able to reconstruct these features.

From Science News

I eat cicadas that are alive with fluttering wings, dead cicadas that are stiff and dried-out, partially molted cicadas frozen in their exoskeletons, and I especially enjoy eating moist cicada nymphs fresh out of the ground.

From Washington Post

In addition to littering the ground with exoskeletons, in their frenzied quest for mates, cicadas make a ton of noise.

From Vox

Today anyone (with the budget) can buy a ReWalk Robotic Exoskeleton for roughly $85,000.

From The Daily Beast

The exoskeleton in Brazil was described as “mind-controlled,” but it is important to understand exactly what that means.

From The Daily Beast

A key concept with an exoskeleton is that it restores control to the user.

From The Daily Beast

The term exoskeleton refers to the hard outer shell found on insects and certain animals like grasshoppers and crabs.

From The Daily Beast

Another strategy to restore walking is to use an exoskeleton.

From The Daily Beast

This exoskeleton differs from the main or axial skeleton of the higher animals, the latter being inside of the body.

From Project Gutenberg

The exoskeleton is composed of plates of carbonate of lime, called ossicles, which cover the surface of the body.

From Project Gutenberg

Exoskeleton: Outside framework or support, differing from a true skeleton which lies inside the body.

From Project Gutenberg

The exoskeleton as in the Heterostraci consists of shields and scales, the shields being divisible into three layers.

From Project Gutenberg

The exoskeleton is formed of bony plates, the dorsal and ventral shields each consisting of several symmetrically arranged pieces.

From Project Gutenberg