bone
A bone is any of the hard, rigid parts that form the skeleton of a vertebrate animal, primarily composed of calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate. In an academic context, it refers to the structural tissue that supports the body, protects internal organs, and produces blood cells.
Examples
3 of 5The doctor confirmed that the patient had a small fracture in the bone of her wrist.
The physician verified a minor break in the wrist's skeletal structure.
The archaeological site yielded several ancient bones that belong to an extinct species of megafauna.
Excavations produced skeletal remains of a prehistoric animal species.
I'm chilled to the bone after standing outside in that freezing wind.
I feel extremely cold throughout my entire body.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'B' in Bone as standing for 'Body's Beams' — just like beams support a house, bones support your body.
Quick Quiz
The archaeologist carefully brushed the dirt off the fossilized _____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bone
Examples
The doctor confirmed that the patient had a small fracture in the bone of her wrist.
everydayThe physician verified a minor break in the wrist's skeletal structure.
The archaeological site yielded several ancient bones that belong to an extinct species of megafauna.
formalExcavations produced skeletal remains of a prehistoric animal species.
I'm chilled to the bone after standing outside in that freezing wind.
informalI feel extremely cold throughout my entire body.
Bone remodeling is a lifelong process where mature bone tissue is removed and new bone tissue is formed.
academicThe continuous biological process of skeletal tissue replacement and growth.
The startup began with a bare-bones team of just three engineers and a designer.
businessThe company started with the absolute minimum number of essential staff.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a bone of contention
a subject or issue over which there is continuing disagreement
to have a bone to pick
to have a reason to argue or complain to someone
make no bones about it
to state something clearly and directly without hesitation
Often Confused With
'Born' is the past participle of bear (relating to birth), while 'bone' is a physical part of the body.
'Bean' refers to a seed or pod of a plant, which sounds similar to 'bone' for some learners but has a different vowel sound.
Usage Notes
In academic writing, use 'bone' when discussing biological structures, but consider 'osseous tissue' for highly technical papers. It can also be used as a verb meaning to remove bones from meat or fish.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget that 'bone' is a countable noun (e.g., 'he broke two bones', not 'he broke two bone'). They may also confuse the pronunciation of 'bone' /boʊn/ with 'born' /bɔːrn/.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'B' in Bone as standing for 'Body's Beams' — just like beams support a house, bones support your body.
Word Origin
Derived from Old English 'bān', of Germanic origin, sharing roots with the Dutch 'been' and German 'Bein'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Bones are often used in literature and art as symbols of mortality, strength, or the 'core' essence of a person.
Quick Quiz
The archaeologist carefully brushed the dirt off the fossilized _____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bone
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
syntegment
C1To integrate or fuse distinct segments or components into a single, unified structure or cohesive system. It is often used in technical, architectural, or abstract contexts to describe the seamless blending of parts into a whole.
exsimilment
C1Exsimilment is an adjective describing something that has diverged so fundamentally from its original source or peer group that it no longer possesses any shared characteristics. It is frequently used in technical and comparative contexts to denote a state of complete and intentional dissimilarity.
foreautofy
C1Describing a system, process, or device that has been autonomously optimized or configured in advance to handle future scenarios. It implies a state of being pre-emptively automated to function seamlessly without human intervention when specific conditions are met.
insedess
C1Describing a state of remaining in one location or maintaining an inactive, sedentary posture. It is often used in technical or formal contexts to characterize organisms, habits, or lifestyles that lack movement or migration.
interpunctive
C1Relating to the marks or signs used in punctuation to separate sentences and their elements. It describes the structural use of points or symbols to clarify the meaning and rhythm of a written text.
comloquward
C1Describes a person who is excessively talkative in a socially clumsy or uncoordinated manner. It specifically refers to the combination of being verbose while simultaneously lacking the grace to navigate conversational cues effectively.
circumjurent
C1A person who takes a legal oath within a specific surrounding territory or boundary, often to verify land limits or local facts. In an archaic or specialized legal context, it refers to a witness who confirms the truth of a matter based on their presence in the surrounding area.
comvester
C1A comvester is an individual who participates in community-based investment, pooling financial resources with others to support local projects or social enterprises. This role combines traditional investment goals with a focus on social impact and collective community benefit.
antitractent
C1Describing a force or substance that exerts a repelling influence, tending to push away rather than attract. It is primarily used in technical or scientific contexts to describe physical properties or behaviors that resist being drawn together.
triludary
C1To engage in a complex tripartite evaluation or negotiation process involving three distinct parties, stages, or perspectives. It is used to describe the act of reaching a balanced resolution or synthesis through three-way interaction.
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