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skeleton

   Also found in: Medical, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.46 sec.
skel·e·ton  (skl-tn)
n.
1.
a. The internal structure composed of bone and cartilage that protects and supports the soft organs, tissues, and other parts of a vertebrate organism; endoskeleton.
b. The hard external supporting and protecting structure in many invertebrates, such as mollusks and crustaceans, and certain vertebrates, such as turtles; exoskeleton.
2. A supporting structure or framework, as of a building.
3. An outline or sketch.
4. Something reduced to its basic or minimal parts.
5. One that is very thin or emaciated.
adj.
1. Of, relating to, or resembling a skeleton.
2. Reduced to the basic or minimal parts or members: a skeleton crew.
Idiom:
skeleton in (one's) closet
A source of shame or disgrace, as in a family, that is kept secret.

[Greek skeleton (sma), dried-up (body), neuter of skeletos, from skellesthai, to dry up.]

skeleton
Noun
1. the hard framework of bones that supports and protects the organs and muscles of the body
2. the essential framework of any structure: a metal skeleton supporting the roof and floors
3. Informal an extremely thin person or animal
4. an outline consisting of bare essentials: the mere skeleton of a script
5. skeleton in the cupboard or closet an embarrassing or scandalous fact from the past that is kept secret
Adjective
reduced to a minimum: a skeleton staff [Greek: something dried up]
skeletal adj

skeleton  (skl-tn)
1. The internal structure of vertebrate animals, composed of bone or cartilage, that supports the body, serves as a framework for the attachment of muscles, and protects the vital organs and associated structures.
2. A hard protective covering or supporting structure of invertebrate animals. See also endoskeletonexoskeleton

skeletal adjective
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skeleton
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.skeletonskeleton - something reduced to its minimal form; "the battalion was a mere skeleton of its former self"; "the bare skeleton of a novel"
lower limit, minimum - the smallest possible quantity
2.skeleton - a scandal that is kept secret; "there must be a skeleton somewhere in that family's closet"
scandal, outrage - a disgraceful event
3.skeletonskeleton - the hard structure (bones and cartilages) that provides a frame for the body of an animal
system - a group of physiologically or anatomically related organs or parts; "the body has a system of organs for digestion"
musculoskeletal system - the system of muscles and tendons and ligaments and bones and joints and associated tissues that move the body and maintain its form
skeletal structure - any structure created by the skeleton of an organism
endoskeleton - the internal skeleton; bony and cartilaginous structure (especially of vertebrates)
exoskeleton - the exterior protective or supporting structure or shell of many animals (especially invertebrates) including bony or horny parts such as nails or scales or hoofs
4.skeletonskeleton - the internal supporting structure that gives an artifact its shape; "the building has a steel skeleton"
aircraft - a vehicle that can fly
building, edifice - a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place; "there was a three-story building on the corner"; "it was an imposing edifice"
chassis - the skeleton of a motor vehicle consisting of a steel frame supported on springs that holds the body and motor
hoop - a light curved skeleton to spread out a skirt
ship - a vessel that carries passengers or freight
supporting structure - a structure that serves to support something

skeleton
noun 1. bones, bare bones
noun 2. frame, shell, framework, basic structure
Translations
Spanish skeleton [ˈskɛlɪtn] nesqueleto;
(TECH) → armazón m (= outline); esquema m

French skeleton [ˈskɛlɪtn] nsquelette m (= outline); schéma m
German skeleton [ˈskɛlɪtn] nSkelett nt
attrib (plan, outline) → skizzenhaft

Italian skeleton [ˈskɛlɪtn] nscheletro

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
The skeleton of even the most lawless despot makes a good constitutional sovereign.
My dear Isabella, I am sure there must be Laurentina's skeleton behind it.
As he spoke, Death, a grisly skeleton, appeared and said to him: "What wouldst thou, Mortal?
 
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