noun

exoskeleton

noun

A hard external shell that supports and protects an animal's body, as seen in insects and crustaceans.

"A crab sheds its exoskeleton as it grows."

A wearable mechanical frame that helps a person move, lift, or walk.

"The paralysed veteran took his first steps in years using a robotic exoskeleton."

How to Use Exoskeleton

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA hard shell or frame on the outside of a body, whether natural (like a beetle's shell) or mechanical (a wearable robot suit).

Easily confused with

endoskeleton

Common pairings

insect exoskeleton robotic exoskeleton

exoskeletons plural, exoskeleta plural

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Can you complete this real example?

A crab sheds its _____ as it grows.

From "exo-" ("outside") plus "skeleton."

endoskeleton

Breton skeleton Carleton Appleton Eagleton simpleton singleton Middleton Pendleton Stapleton Littleton Pembleton

endoskeleton