Definition of: skin

(skin) noun
1. The membranous external investment of an animal; the integument. ♦ Collateral adjective: dermal.
2. The pelt of a small animal, removed from its body, whether raw or dressed, as distinguished from the hide of a large animal.
3. A vessel for holding liquids, made of the skin of an animal: a wine–skin.
4. An outside layer, coat, or covering resembling skin, as the epidermis of a plant, fruit, etc.; rind; of pearls, the outermost layer of nacreous matter.
5. Planking or plating of a vessel.
6. A membrane resembling the integument.
7. Slang A mean person; skinflint; also, a sharper; blackleg.
8. One's life or physical existence: to save one's skin.
—by the skin of one's teeth Very closely or narrowly; barely.
—under one's skin Provoking; beneath the surface of control (of irritation, excitation, emotion, etc.).
—v. skinned, skin·ning v.t.
1. To remove the skin of; flay; peel.
2. To cover with or as with skin.
3. To remove as if taking off skin: to skin a dollar from a roll of bills.
4. Slang To cheat or swindle.
—v.i.
5. To become covered with skin; cicatrize,
6. Slang To make off hastily; run away: usually with off. [<ON skinn]