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

Only the 17-year brood is beginning to show so far in spots as far north as Lisle, where three different species are digging out of the ground, attaching to trees, shedding their exoskeleton and putting on a show.

From Seattle Times

Chitin is the primary building material both for the exoskeleton of insects and for the bristles of bristle worms such as the marine annelid worm Platynereis dumerilii.

From Science Daily

Notre-Dame Cathedral sat in the pre-dawn chill like a spaceship docked in the heart of Paris, its exoskeleton of scaffolding lit by bright lights.

From New York Times

Mechanical engineers at Georgia Tech may be on the verge of changing that, allowing exoskeleton technology to be deployed in homes, workplaces, and more.

From Science Daily

Their system uses a kind of artificial intelligence called deep learning to autonomously adjust how the exoskeleton provides assistance, and they've shown it works seamlessly to support walking, standing, and climbing stairs or ramps.

From Science Daily