Bone

n. 1 any piece of hard tissue making up the skeleton in vertebrates. 2 (in pl.) a skeleton, esp. as remains. b body. 3 material of bones or similar material, e.g. ivory. 4 thing made of bone. 5 (in pl.) essentials (the bones of an agreement). 6 strip of stiffening in a corset etc. u. (ning) 1 remove the bones from. 2 stiffen with bone etc. bone up (often foil. by on) colloq. study intensively. have a bone to pick (usu. foil. by with) have cause for dispute (with a person). make no bones about 1 be frank about. 2 not hesitate or scruple. c. boneless adj. [Old English] bone china n. fine china made of clay mixed with bone ash.