skin of the teeth

Skin \Skin\, n. [Icel. skinn; akin to Sw. skinn, Dan. skind, AS.
   scinn, G. schined to skin.]
   1. (Anat.) The external membranous integument of an animal.
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   Note: In man, and the vertebrates generally, the skin consist
         of two layers, an outer nonsensitive and nonvascular
         epidermis, cuticle, or skarfskin, composed of cells
         which are constantly growing and multiplying in the
         deeper, and being thrown off in the superficial,
         layers; and an inner sensitive, and vascular dermis,
         cutis, corium, or true skin, composed mostly of
         connective tissue.
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   2. The hide of an animal, separated from the body, whether
      green, dry, or tanned; especially, that of a small animal,
      as a calf, sheep, or goat.
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   3. A vessel made of skin, used for holding liquids. See
      {Bottle}, 1. "Skins of wine." --Tennyson.
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   4. The bark or husk of a plant or fruit; the exterior coat of
      fruits and plants.
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   5. (Naut.)
      (a) That part of a sail, when furled, which remains on the
          outside and covers the whole. --Totten.
      (b) The covering, as of planking or iron plates, outside
          the framing, forming the sides and bottom of a vessel;
          the shell; also, a lining inside the framing.
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   {Skin friction}, {Skin resistance} (Naut.), the friction, or
      resistance, caused by the tendency of water to adhere to
      the immersed surface (skin) of a vessel.

   {Skin graft} (Surg.), a small portion of skin used in the
      process of grafting. See {Graft}, v. t., 2.

   {Skin moth} (Zool.), any insect which destroys the prepared
      skins of animals, especially the larva of Dermestes and
      Anthrenus.

   {Skin of the teeth}, nothing, or next to nothing; the least
      possible hold or advantage. --Job xix. 20.

   {Skin wool}, wool taken from dead sheep.
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