skull

[ skuhl ]

noun

1. the bony framework of the head, enclosing the brain and supporting the face; the skeleton of the head.
2. the head as the center of knowledge and understanding; mind:

   to get literature's great ideas through our skulls.

3. Armor. the part of a helmet that covers the top of the head.

skull

/ skʌl /

noun

1. the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates See cranium cranial
2. derogatory.
   the head regarded as the mind or intelligence

   to have a dense skull

3. a picture of a skull used to represent death or danger

skull

/ skŭl /

1. The part of the skeleton that forms the framework of the head, consisting of the bones of the cranium, which protect the brain, and the bones of the face.
2. See more at skeleton

Other Words From

• skull-less adjective
• skull-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of skull¹

1175–1225; Middle English scolle < Old Norse skalli

Word History and Origins

Origin of skull¹

C13: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse skoltr, Norwegian skult, Swedish dialect skulle

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. out of one's skull, Slang. crazy; demented.

Example Sentences

She said he had several brain bleeds and swelling of the brain that eventually led to a craniotomy, a procedure that removes part of the skull to relieve pressure on the brain.

From Los Angeles Times

The Bristol team identified many anatomical features of the skull and skeleton that allowed them to place it well within Squamata, and even close to the Anguimorpha.

From Science Daily

Since then she has been a patient at St Louis University Hospital, where she has undergone five different operations including a cranioplasty where part of her skull was removed.

From BBC

A pathologist recorded 37 bruises and a fractured skull from a fall.

From BBC

Elle suffered skull fractures and a cardiac arrest, and was pronounced dead in hospital an hour after the attack.

From BBC

Related Words

• cranium
• scalp