Bone

(20), n. [A-S. bān, O. S. & Sw. bēn, Dan. & D. been, Icel. & Ger. bein, Goth. bain, bone and leg.]

1. (Anat.) A firm, hard substance, of a dull white color, composing the skeleton or firmer part of the body in the higher orders of animals.
2. An integral portion of the skeleton of an animal.

Bones afford, on analysis, much phosphate and carbonate of lime, a little phosphate of magnesia, phosphate of ammonia, oxides of iron and manganese, some traces of alumina and silica, gelatin, fat, and water. Douglass. Be glad because his bones are laid by thine. Tennyson. 3. Any thing made of bone, as bobbins for weaving bone-lace, dice, &c. ☞ Rude castanets are so called from the substance of which they are made, and the term is sometimes applied to the performer on these instruments. Stays for ladies’ dresses are sometimes called bones, from the whalebone of which they are made. A bone of contention, subject of contention or dispute. — A bone to pick, or gnaw, something to occupy or divert. Lytle. — To be upon the bones, to attack. — To make no bones, to make no scruple; not to hesitate or find difficulty. [Loc.]