Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Bone Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ’€
Add to dictionary

bone

[bษ™สŠn ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

human anatomy

Any of the hard pieces that form the skeleton of the body.

Synonyms

calcium, osseous tissue, skeleton.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
bone

Used in culinary contexts to refer to the hard part of an animalโ€™s body, usually when preparing or consuming food.

  • I need to remove the bones from the fish.
  • The soup was made with bone broth.
skeleton

Refers to the complete structure of bones in a body and is often used in anatomical, medical, or educational contexts.

  • The human skeleton consists of 206 bones.
  • We studied the skeleton in our anatomy class.
calcium

Used primarily in scientific or health-related contexts to refer to the nutrient that is essential for bone health.

  • Calcium is important for strong bones and teeth.
  • She takes calcium supplements daily.
osseous tissue

Used in medical or biological contexts to refer to the specialized tissue that forms bones.

  • The X-ray showed damage to the osseous tissue.
  • Osseous tissue is made up of cells called osteocytes.

Examples of usage

  • He broke a bone in his leg while skiing.
  • The dog buried a bone in the backyard.
Context #2 | Noun

food

A piece of bone, typically containing marrow, used as food.

Synonyms

marrow, osseous tissue, skeleton.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
bone

When referring to a specific type of material found inside the body.

  • The chef used a bone to make a rich broth.
  • He bit into the chicken and accidentally chewed on a bone.
marrow

When referring to the soft tissue found in the cavities of bones, often in culinary or medical contexts.

  • Bone marrow is used in certain recipes to make a delicious soup.
  • The bone marrow transplant saved his life.
skeleton

Used to describe the entire framework of bones that supports and shapes the body.

  • The human skeleton consists of 206 bones.
  • During Halloween, we decorated our porch with a plastic skeleton.
osseous tissue

Used in scientific or medical texts to refer to the specific type of connective tissue making up bones.

  • Osseous tissue is crucial for supporting the body's structure.
  • Research on osseous tissue can lead to advances in orthopedic treatments.

Examples of usage

  • She made a delicious bone broth from scratch.
  • The hungry dog gnawed on a bone.
Context #3 | Verb

slang

To remove all bones from (meat or fish) before cooking or serving.

Synonyms

boneless, debone, remove bones.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
bone

Used when referring to a hard part of the skeleton structure of an animal or human. It can also mean to remove bones from meat or fish in culinary contexts. The noun form has neutral connotation, while the verb form can be technical for cooking.

  • She fractured a bone in her leg.
  • To prepare the dish, you need to bone the fish first.
debone

A technical term in cooking that refers to the process of removing bones from meat or fish. It is often used in recipes or cooking instructions.

  • The chef demonstrated how to debone a chicken.
  • Before cooking the fish, make sure to debone it carefully.
remove bones

A straightforward phrase used to describe the action of taking out the bones from meat or fish. It is a simple, clear instruction often found in recipes or cooking guides.

  • Before grilling the fish, remove the bones.
  • To make the soup, first remove the bones from the chicken.
boneless

Used to describe meat or fish that has had the bones removed. It is commonly used in culinary contexts and has a neutral connotation.

  • I prefer boneless chicken breasts for my recipes.
  • Boneless steaks are easier to eat.

Examples of usage

  • Can you bone the chicken before grilling it?
  • I prefer boneless fish fillets.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Biology

  • Bones are living tissues that constantly regenerate, meaning they can grow and heal after fractures.
  • Humans are born with approximately 270 bones, but some fuse together during growth, leaving adults with 206 bones.

Cultural Significance

  • In various cultures, bones have been used in rituals to symbolize strength, ancestry, and the connection to the spirit world.
  • American football players sometimes refer to a 'bone-crushing tackle', showing how bones represent toughness in sports.

Science

  • Bones are composed mostly of collagen, a protein that gives them strength, and mineral salts that make them hard.
  • The inner part of bones, called bone marrow, is where blood cells are produced.

Pop Culture

  • The phrase 'bone to pick' refers to having a problem with someone, which goes back to the idea of wanting to resolve issues just like animals might fight over bones.
  • Animated shows often personify bones as characters (e.g., skeletons) in humorous or spooky ways, especially around Halloween.

Origin of 'bone'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'bone' comes from the Old English 'ban' or the Proto-Germanic word 'banฤ…', which means 'bone' or 'flesh'.
  • In many languages, the root for 'bone' is related. For example, in Latin, it is 'os', and in Greek, it is 'osteon', used in medical terms like 'osteoporosis'.

The word 'bone' originates from the Old English word 'ban', which is related to the Old Norse 'bein' and the Dutch 'been'. It has been used to refer to the hard tissue forming the human skeleton since ancient times. Bones have been symbolically associated with strength, support, and structure in various cultures throughout history.

See also: boneless, bones, bony, debone, deboned.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,178, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.