1. (Anat.)
Defn: The skeleton of the head of a vertebrate animal, including the brain case, or cranium, and the bones and cartilages of the face and mouth. See Illusts. of Carnivora, of Facial angles under Facial, and of Skeleton, in Appendix.
Note: In many fishes the skull is almost wholly cartilaginous but in the higher vertebrates it is more or less completely ossified, several bones are developed in the face, and the cranium is made up, wholly or partially, of bony plates arranged in three segments, the frontal, parietal, and occipital, and usually closely united in the adult.
2. The head or brain; the seat of intelligence; mind. Skulls that can not teach, and will not learn. Cowper.
3. A covering for the head; a skullcap. [Obs. & R.] Let me put on my skull first. Beau & Fl.
4. A sort of oar. See Scull. Skull and crossbones, a symbol of death. See Crossbones.
SKULLCAP
Skull"cap`, n.
1. A cap which fits the head closely; also, formerly, a headpiece of iron sewed inside of a cap for protection.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Any plant of the labiate genus Scutellaria, the calyx of whose flower appears, when inverted, like a helmet with the visor raised.