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Glite Dictionary
crossbones

crossbones

1 6.7
Two bones crossed like an X used to show danger or death
  • noun
  • /ˈkrɔsˌboʊnz/
translation icon : huesos cruzados
  • So I'm very sure that the meaning of the Skull and Crossbones will not be lost to time.

Examples

  • And on the flag you see skull and crossbones and you realize the pirates are coming.

  • The warning sign featured a crossbones symbol to indicate the area was dangerous.

  • Well, you know, we put a skull in crossbones and pirate flags, and we have a skull for, you know, poison.

  • During the Halloween party, they used decorations with crossbones to create a spooky atmosphere.

  • The old maritime map showed a treasure marked with a crossbones symbol, implying danger ahead.

Synonyms

skull and crossbones
vscrossbones
3 4.2

A symbol showing a skull above two crossed bones that warns people of poison or danger

shows only two crossed skeletal shapes without any head image

Surface Forms

crossbones singular
crossbones plural

Morphology

crossbones = cross + bone (transparent) = cross + bone + s

The compound is directly formed from 'cross' + 'bone' (pluralized), so the meaning 'bones arranged in a cross' is predictable.

Etymology

Crossbones is simply cross + bones, where cross means 'across' and bones means 'bones'. So two bones laid in an X shape under a skull became a clear sign of danger or poison.