Dĕr'mo-skĕl'e-ton, n.

n. [From derm and skeleton, q. v.] (Nat. Hist.) The skin of certain animals, which is hard or firm, through horny, calcareous, or other secretions.

☞ The dermo-skeleton of a fish or reptile is the skin with the scales: in a turtle the dermo-skeleton is united with the endo-skeleton, or vertebræ and ribs: insects and crustacea have only a dermo-skeleton.