skeleton

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.

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

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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

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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

skeleton

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	skeleton - 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" skeleton in the closet, skeleton in the cupboard scandal, outrage - a disgraceful event
	3.	skeleton - the hard structure (bones and cartilages) that provides a frame for the body of an animal skeletal system, systema skeletale, frame 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.	skeleton - the internal supporting structure that gives an artifact its shape; "the building has a steel skeleton" skeletal frame, underframe, frame 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

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skeleton

noun 1. bones, bare bones

noun 2. frame, shell, framework, basic structure

noun 3. plan, structure, frame, draft, outline, framework, sketch, abstract, blueprint, main points

modifier 4. minimum, reduced, minimal, essential

Translations

skeleton [ˈskɛlɪtn] n → esqueleto;

(TECH) → armazón m (= outline); esquema m

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skeleton [ˈskɛlɪtn] n → squelette m (= outline); schéma m

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skeleton [ˈskɛlɪtn] n → Skelett nt

attrib (plan, outline) → skizzenhaft

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skeleton [ˈskɛlɪtn] n → scheletro