SKINNER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

• SKINNER (noun)
  The noun SKINNER has 5 senses:

1. United States actor (1858-1942)

2. United States actress noted for her one-woman shows (1901-1979)

3. United States psychologist and a leading proponent of behaviorism (1904-1990)

4. a person who prepares or deals in animal skins

5. a worker who drives mules

  Familiarity information: SKINNER used as a noun is common.

• SKINNER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

United States actor (1858-1942)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

Otis Skinner; Skinner

Instance hypernyms:

actor; histrion; player; role player; thespian (a theatrical performer)

Sense 2

Meaning:

United States actress noted for her one-woman shows (1901-1979)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

Cornelia Otis Skinner; Skinner

Instance hypernyms:

actress (a female actor)

Sense 3

Meaning:

United States psychologist and a leading proponent of behaviorism (1904-1990)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

B. F. Skinner; Burrhus Frederic Skinner; Fred Skinner; Skinner

Instance hypernyms:

psychologist (a scientist trained in psychology)

Derivation:

Skinnerian (of or relating to B. F. Skinner or his behaviorist psychology)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A person who prepares or deals in animal skins

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("skinner" is a kind of...):

skilled worker; skilled workman; trained worker (a worker who has acquired special skills)

Derivation:

skin (strip the skin off)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A worker who drives mules

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

mule driver; mule skinner; muleteer; skinner

Hypernyms ("skinner" is a kind of...):

jack; laborer; labourer; manual laborer (someone who works with their hands; someone engaged in manual labor)

 Context examples 

Skinner and his family were here three months; so I tell Mr. Allen he must not be in a hurry to get away.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

I fear that you are yet a 'prentice to that trade, quoth the soldier; for there is no child over the water but could answer what you ask. Know then that though there may be peace between our own provinces and the French, yet within the marches of France there is always war, for the country is much divided against itself, and is furthermore harried by bands of flayers, skinners, Brabacons, tardvenus, and the rest of them. When every man's grip is on his neighbor's throat, and every five-sous-piece of a baron is marching with tuck of drum to fight whom he will, it would be a strange thing if five hundred brave English boys could not pick up a living.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The Skinners were here last year—I wish they were here now.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Skinner, was here for his health last winter, and came away quite stout.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

I have been saying how glad I should be if the Skinners were here this winter instead of last; or if the Parrys had come, as they talked of once, she might have danced with George Parry.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

She could not listen to that with perfect calmness, but repeatedly regretted the necessity of its concealment, wished she could have known his intention, wished she could have seen him before he went, as she should certainly have troubled him with her best regards to his father and mother, and her kind compliments to all the Skinners.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)