from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Skull \Skull\, n. [OE. skulle, sculle, scolle; akin to Scot.
skull, skoll, a bowl, Sw. skalle skull, skal a shell, and E.
scale; cf. G. hirnschale, Dan. hierneskal. Cf. {Scale} of a
balance.]
1. (Anat.) The skeleton of the head of a vertebrate animal,
including the brain case, or cranium, and the bones and
cartilages of the face and mouth. See Illusts. of
{Carnivora}, of {Facial angles} under {Facial}, and of
{Skeleton}, in Appendix.
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Note: In many fishes the skull is almost wholly cartilaginous
but in the higher vertebrates it is more or less
completely ossified, several bones are developed in the
face, and the cranium is made up, wholly or partially,
of bony plates arranged in three segments, the frontal,
parietal, and occipital, and usually closely united in
the adult.
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2. The head or brain; the seat of intelligence; mind.
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Skulls that can not teach, and will not learn.
--Cowper.
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3. A covering for the head; a skullcap. [Obs. & R.]
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Let me put on my skull first. --Beau. & Fl.
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4. A sort of oar. See {Scull}.
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{Skull and crossbones}, a symbol of death. See {Crossbones}.
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