exoskeleton

[ek-soh-skel-i-tn]

noun

Zoology.

1. an external covering or integument, especially when hard, as the shells of crustaceans (endoskeleton ).

exoskeleton

/ ˌɛksəʊˈskɛlɪtən /

noun

1. the protective or supporting structure covering the outside of the body of many animals, such as the thick cuticle of arthropods Compare endoskeleton

exoskeleton

1. A hard, protective outer body covering of an animal, such as an insect, crustacean, or mollusk. The exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans are largely made of chitin.

2. Compare endoskeleton

Other Word Forms

• exoskeletal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exoskeleton¹

First recorded in 1840–50; exo- + skeleton

Example Sentences

While its towering and sleek exoskeleton frame and otherworldly facial features — this one has human-like silver teeth, dripping in goo — remain a formidable sight, its invisible terror is what often brings the horror.

From Los Angeles Times

After the tragedy, Hawkins developed an exoskeleton that enabled him to leave his wheelchair.

From Los Angeles Times

Diatomaceous earth, a powder made from fossilized diatoms, dries out the exoskeletons of roaches.

From Salon

An emerging area of future technology is motor augmentation -- using motorised wearable devices such as exoskeletons or extra robotic body parts to advance our motor capabilities beyond current biological limitations.

From Science Daily

Chitin is the primary building material both for the exoskeleton of insects and for the bristles of bristle worms such as the marine annelid worm Platynereis dumerilii.

From Science Daily