skeleton shrimp

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
skeleton shrimp
    n 1: small amphipod crustacean having a grotesque form
         suggestive of the praying mantis; found chiefly on seaweed
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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}.
          [1913 Webster]

   2. Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; -- in
      contempt.
      [1913 Webster]

            This weak and writhled shrimp.        --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   {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.
      [1913 Webster]
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
   [1913 Webster]

   {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}.
      [1913 Webster]
    

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