skin
1. The raw integument of a mature, fully grown
animal of the smaller type, e.g., goatskin,
sheepskin, pigskin, etc.; or the covering of an
immature animal of the larger type, e.g.,
calfskin. The term also applies to a small hide;
among cattle hides, for example, it would include
one weighing less than 15 pounds in the green
salted state. For a description of the physiology
of the integument, see: LEATHER . 2. The
leather produced from such a material which has
not been split. See also: BASIL ;ROAN . 3. The
covering of a fur-bearing animal, dressed and
finished with the fur on, i.e., a PELT . 4. A high,
hard finish on paper or board. 5. An expression
sometimes used to indicate the tearing of paper,
with reference to the fact that when paper is torn
the fibers are not broken but pulled apart, i.e.,
the paper "skins" better when torn along the
length of the MACHINE
DIRECTION rather than across it. (17 , 26 , 363 )
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