Phrase guide

in the gristle

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Not yet hardened into bone or strengthened into sinew.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: literal

Examples

  • Most cartilage is not merely premature bone; but there is a grain of truth to the old notion that newborn creatures' bodies are yet in the gristle, as some bones are still developing.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Young, weak, and unformed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: luutumaton — not yet hardened into bone
  • Finnish: kehittymätön — young, weak and unformed
  • Icelandic: óharðnaður — young, weak and unformed