bone: Meaning and Definition of

bone

Pronunciation: (bōn), [key]
— n., v., adv. boned, bon•ing,
—n.
    1. one of the structures composing the skeleton of a vertebrate.
    2. the hard connective tissue forming the substance of the skeleton of most vertebrates, composed of a collagen-rich organic matrix impregnated with calcium, phosphate, and other minerals.
  1. such a structure from an edible animal, usually with meat adhering to it, as an article of food: Pea soup should be made with a ham bone.
  2. any of various similarly hard or structural animal substances, as ivory or whalebone.
  3. something made of or resembling such a substance.
  4. a small concession, intended to pacify or quiet; a conciliatory bribe or gift: The administration threw the student protesters a couple of bones, but refused to make any basic changes in the curriculum or requirements.
  5. Let his bones rest in peace.
    1. the skeleton.
    2. a body:Let his bones rest in peace.
    3. Games Slang.dice.
    4. (cap.) SeeMr. Bones.
    5. a simple rhythm instrument consisting of two sometimes curved bars or short strips of bone, ivory, wood, or the like, held between the fingers of one hand and clacked together.
  6. the color of bone; ivory or off-white.
  7. a flat strip of whalebone or other material for stiffening corsets, petticoats, etc.; stay.
  8. a domino.
  9. to think or feel intuitively: She felt in her bones that it was going to be a momentous day.
  10. to have cause to disagree or argue with someone: The teacher had a bone to pick with him because his homework paper was identical with his neighbor's.
  11. He makes no bones about his dislike of modern music.
    1. to deal with in a direct manner; act or speak openly:He makes no bones about his dislike of modern music.
    2. to have no fear of or objection to.
  12. The government cut social service programs to the bone.
    1. to the essentials; to the minimum:The government cut social service programs to the bone.
    2. to an extreme degree; thoroughly:chilled to the bone.
—v.t.
  1. to remove the bones from: to bone a turkey.
  2. to put whalebone or another stiffener into (clothing).
  3. to put bone meal into (feed, fertilizer, etc.).
  4. to study intensely; cram: We're going to have to bone up for the exam.
—adv.
  1. completely; absolutely: bone tired.

Bône

Pronunciation: (bōn), [key]
— n.
  1. former name of
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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