Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having bones of a specified type or number: Describes something, typically a body or body part, that possesses bones with particular characteristics.
   • With the bones removed: Describes meat or fish from which the bones have been taken out.

Usage

• The first meaning is often used in compound adjectives (e.g., ) to describe a person's or animal's skeletal structure.
• The second meaning is used in culinary contexts to describe prepared food items.

Examples

• Adjective (Having bones):
  • The veterinarian noted the dog was a healthy, sturdy-boned animal.
  • His long-boned frame made him a natural basketball player.
• Adjective (With bones removed):
  • For the recipe, you will need one pound of boned chicken thighs.
  • She bought a boned leg of lamb for the Sunday roast.

Advanced Usage

• "boned" as a past participle verb: While less common, "boned" can function as the simple past and past participle of the verb "to bone," meaning to remove bones.
  • The butcher boned the fish quickly and skillfully.

Variants and Related Words

• Bone (noun): The hard connective tissue forming the skeleton.
• Bone (verb): To remove the bones from meat or fish.
• Bony (adjective): Having prominent bones; very thin.
• Boneless (adjective): Without bones. (This is a direct antonym for the second meaning of "boned").

Synonyms

• For "having bones": Skeletal, osseous (technical).
• For "with bones removed": Deboned, filleted (for fish).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• To the bone: Thoroughly, completely, or to the minimum.
  • The criticism cut him to the bone.
  • We've stripped the budget to the bone. (Note: This idiom uses "bone," not the adjective "boned.")

Adjective

1. having bones as specified
   • his lanky long-boned body
2. having had the bones removed
   • a boneless rib roast
   • a boned (or deboned) fish