skull

American  

[skuhl] / skʌl /

noun

1. the bony framework of the head, enclosing the brain and supporting the face; the skeleton of the head.

2. the head as the center of knowledge and understanding; mind.

   to get literature's great ideas through our skulls.

3. Armor. the part of a helmet that covers the top of the head.

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idioms

1. out of one's skull, crazy; demented.

skull British  

/ skʌl /

noun

1. the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates See cranium

2. derogatory the head regarded as the mind or intelligence

   to have a dense skull

3. a picture of a skull used to represent death or danger

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skull Scientific  

/ skŭl /

1. The part of the skeleton that forms the framework of the head, consisting of the bones of the cranium, which protect the brain, and the bones of the face.

2. See more at skeleton

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Other Word Forms

• skull-less adjective
• skull-like adjective

Etymology

Origin of skull

1175–1225; Middle English scolle < Old Norse skalli

Example Sentences

Today, Watson said it is unclear just how much of St Brigid's remains remain in Downpatrick as relics, including her skull were taken elsewhere.

From BBC

It’s a sunny December day, but he’s dressed all in black with glasses to match, slim fingers adorned with a custom silver skull ring.

From Los Angeles Times

But as he spoke, the griffin froze, his ears flat against his skull.

From Literature

Perhaps you plan to fight Hitler by striking him on the skull with your pint of ale?

From Literature

"I'm including historical east coast wolves in a separate chapter of my dissertation comparing skull morphology between coastal and inland populations," he says.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• cranium
• scalp