skull and crossbones

noun

a representation of a front view of a human skull above two crossed bones, originally used on pirates' flags and now used as a warning sign, as in designating substances as poisons.

Origin

1820-30

Examples from the web for skull and crossbones

They've got the skull and crossbones and everything.
But as researchers screen more and more substances, a dizzying number emerge from the lab festooned with skull and crossbones.
Never drink anything with a skull and crossbones picture on the label.
The billboard features a picture of hot dogs in a cigarette pack inscribed with skull and crossbones.
Which makes it all the more striking that a morbid skull and crossbones should suddenly turn up as a look for spring.
Actually these followers of the skull and crossbones look as if they had been shanghaied from a modern costume dance.
Jobs exhorted, and they raised a skull and crossbones over their offices.
He is not quite such a brazen scoundrel as he imagined he would make on the deck of a ship flying the skull and crossbones.
When you're a senior, you get the sword and skull and crossbones.
They are sometimes identified with the symbol of skull and crossbones.

British Dictionary definitions for skull and crossbones

skull and crossbones

noun

a picture of the human skull above two crossed thighbones, formerly on the pirate flag, now used as a warning of danger or death

skull and crossbones in Medicine

skull and crossbones n. pl. skulls and crossbones
A representation of a human skull above two long crossed bones, a symbol of death used as a warning label on poisons.

skull and crossbones in Culture

skull and crossbones definition

A picture or outline of a human skull and two crossed arm or leg bones. Pirate ships are supposed to have used the skull and crossbones on their flags. (See also Jolly Roger.)