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exoskeletal

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ex⋅o⋅skel⋅e⋅ton

[ek-soh-skel-i-tn]
–noun Zoology.
an external covering or integument, esp. when hard, as the shells of crustaceans (opposed to endoskeleton ).

Origin:
1840–50; exo- + skeleton


ex⋅o⋅skel⋅e⋅tal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ex·o·skel·e·ton   (ěk'sō-skěl'ĭ-tn)   
n.  A hard outer structure, such as the shell of an insect or crustacean, that provides protection or support for an organism.
ex'o·skel'e·tal (-ĭ-tl) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: exo·skel·e·ton
Pronunciation: "ek-sO-'skel-&t-&n
Function: noun
1 : an external supportivecovering of an animal (as the system of sclerites covering the body of an insect) —compare ENDOSKELETON
2 : bony or horny parts (as nails, hooves, or scales) of a vertebrate produced from epidermal tissues —exo·skel·e·tal /-&t-&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

exoskeleton ex·o·skel·e·ton (ěk'sō-skěl'ĭ-tn)
n.

  1. All hard parts, such as hair, teeth, and nails, that develop from the ectoderm or mesoderm in vertebrates.

  2. A hard outer structure, such as the shell of an insect, that provides protection or support for an organism.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
exoskeleton   (ěk'sō-skěl'ĭ-tn)  Pronunciation Key 
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. Compare endoskeleton.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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