exoskeleton

[ ek-soh-skel-i-tn ]

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

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Origin of exoskeleton

1
First recorded in 1840–50; exo- + skeleton

Other words from exoskeleton

  • ex·o·skel·e·tal, adjective

Words Nearby exoskeleton

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How to use exoskeleton in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for exoskeleton

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

Derived forms of exoskeleton

  • exoskeletal, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for exoskeleton

exoskeleton

[ ĕk′sō-skĕlĭ-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. Compare endoskeleton.

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