shin noun [OE. shine, schine, AS. scina; akin to D. scheen, OHG. scina, G. schiene, schienbein, Dan. skinnebeen, Sw. skenben. Cf. Chine.]

1. The front part of the leg below the knee; the front edge of the shin bone; the lower part of the leg; the shank.

“On his shin.” Chaucer.

2. (Railbroad) A fish plate for rails. Knight.

Shin bone (Anat.): the tibia.

Shin leaf (Bot.), a perennial ericaceous herb (Pyrola elliptica) with a cluster of radical leaves and a raceme of greenish white flowers.

Shin, intransitive verb [imperfect or past participle Shinned; present participle or verbal noun Shinning.]

1. To climb a mast, tree, rope, or the like, by embracing it alternately with the arms and legs, without help of steps, spurs, or the like; – used with up; as, to shin up a mast. [Slang]

2. To run about borrowing money hastily and temporarily, as for the payment of one’s notes at the bank. [Slang, U.S.] Bartlett.

Shin, transitive verb To climb (a pole, etc.) by shinning up. [Slang]

-- Websters 1913