skinnery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / ObsoleteHistorical / Technical (Tanning Trade)
Quick answer
What does “skinnery” mean?
The business, trade, or establishment where skins and hides are prepared, processed, or sold.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The business, trade, or establishment where skins and hides are prepared, processed, or sold.
Can refer more broadly to a place or process related to the skinning of animals, or in a highly informal, non-standard way, to a group of thin people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant contemporary difference, as the term is effectively obsolete in both varieties. It may appear in historical texts from either region.
Connotations
Carries historical, industrial connotations in both variants. The humorous extended use is equally rare and informal in both.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both modern British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “skinnery” in a Sentence
[The/An] [ADJ] skinnery [VERB][NP] worked at the skinnery.They turned the building into a skinnery.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skinnery” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective form]
American English
- [No standard adjective form]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Might appear in historical, industrial, or economic texts discussing pre-20th century trades.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Could be encountered in historical descriptions of the leather-working process.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skinnery”
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Misspelling as 'skinery'.
- Confusing it with the adjective 'skinny'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare and largely obsolete term. The modern equivalent is 'tannery'.
This is a very informal, non-standard, and humorous play on the word. It is not a recognized meaning in standard dictionaries.
Only indirectly. Both share the root 'skin'. 'Skinny' refers to having little flesh on the body (like skin and bones), while 'skinnery' refers to a place that deals with skins/hides.
You are most likely to encounter it in historical novels, documents about old trades, or local histories describing pre-industrial businesses.
The business, trade, or establishment where skins and hides are prepared, processed, or sold.
Skinnery is usually historical / technical (tanning trade) in register.
Skinnery: in British English it is pronounced /ˈskɪnəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈskɪnəri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'winery' for wine; a 'SKINNERY' is for SKINS.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FACTORY FOR ANIMAL COVERINGS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'skinnery'?