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Skeleton - 8 dictionary results
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skel⋅e⋅ton
[skel-i-tn] 
–noun
| 1. | Anatomy, Zoology. the bones of a human or an animal considered as a whole, together forming the framework of the body. |
| 2. | any of various structures forming a rigid framework in an invertebrate. |
| 3. | an emaciated person or animal. |
| 4. | a supporting framework, as of a leaf, building, or ship. |
| 5. | an outline, as of a literary work: the skeleton of the plot. |
| 6. | something reduced to its essential parts. |
–adjective
—Idioms| 7. | of or pertaining to a skeleton. |
| 8. | like or being a mere framework; reduced to the essential or minimal parts or numbers: a skeleton staff. |
| 9. | skeleton at the feast, a person or thing that casts gloom over a joyful occasion; a note or reminder of sorrow in the midst of joy. |
| 10. | skeleton in the closet or cupboard,
|
Origin:
1570–80; < NL < Gk: mummy, n. use of neut. of skeletós dried up, verbid of skéllein to dry
1570–80; < NL < Gk: mummy, n. use of neut. of skeletós dried up, verbid of skéllein to dry
Related forms:
skel⋅e⋅ton⋅less, adjective
skel⋅e⋅ton⋅like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To Skeleton
| skel·e·ton (skěl'ĭ-tn) n.
[Greek skeleton (sōma), dried-up (body), neuter of skeletos, from skellesthai, to dry up.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Skeleton
Skel"e*ton\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ???? (sc. ???) a dried body, a mummy, fr. ???? dried up, parched, ???? to dry, dry up, parch.]1. (Anat.) (a) The bony and cartilaginous framework which supports the soft parts of a vertebrate animal. Note: [See Illust. of the Human Skeleton, in Appendix.] (b) The more or less firm or hardened framework of an invertebrate animal. Note: In a wider sense, the skeleton includes the whole connective-tissue framework with the integument and its appendages. See Endoskeleton, and Exoskeleton. 2. Hence, figuratively: (a) A very thin or lean person. (b) The framework of anything; the principal parts that support the rest, but without the appendages. The great skeleton of the world. --Sir M. Hale. (c) The heads and outline of a literary production, especially of a sermon.Skeleton
Skel"e*ton\, a. Consisting of, or resembling, a skeleton; consisting merely of the framework or outlines; having only certain leading features of anything; as, a skeleton sermon; a skeleton crystal. Skeleton bill, a bill or draft made out in blank as to the amount or payee, but signed by the acceptor. [Eng.] Skeleton key, a key with nearly the whole substance of the web filed away, to adapt it to avoid the wards of a lock; a master key; -- used for opening locks to which it has not been especially fitted. Skeleton leaf, a leaf from which the pulpy part has been removed by chemical means, the fibrous part alone remaining. Skeleton proof, a proof of a print or engraving, with the inscription outlined in hair strokes only, such proofs being taken before the engraving is finished. Skeleton regiment, a regiment which has its complement of officers, but in which there are few enlisted men. Skeleton shrimp (Zo["o]l.), a small crustacean of the genus Caprella. See Illust. under L[ae]modipoda.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : Skeleton
Spanish:
esqueleto,
German:
das Skelett,
Japanese:
骨格
skeleton
1578, from Mod.L. sceleton "bones, bony framework of the body," from Gk. skeleton soma "dried-up body, mummy," from neut. of skeletos "dried-up," from skellein "dry up," from PIE base *skele- "to parch, whither" (cf. Gk. skleros "hard"). The Gk. word was borrowed in L.L. (sceletus), hence Fr. squelette, Sp. esqueleto, It. scheletro. The meaning "bare outline" is first recorded 1607; hence skeleton crew (1778), skeleton key, etc. Phrase skeleton in the closet "source of secret shame to a person or family" popularized 1845 by Thackeray, though he likely didn't coin it.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: skel·e·ton
Pronunciation: 'skel-&t-&n
Function: noun
1 : a usually rigid supportive or protectivestructure or framework of an organism; especially : the bony or more or less cartilaginous framework supporting the soft tissues and protecting the internal organs of a vertebrate
2 : the straight or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic structure of an organic molecule
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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skeleton skel·e·ton (skěl'ĭ-tn)
n.
- The internal structure composed of bone and cartilage that protects and supports the soft organs, tissues, and other parts of a vertebrate organism; endoskeleton.
- All the bones of the body taken collectively.
- The exoskeleton.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
skeleton (skěl'ĭ-tn) Pronunciation Key
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skeletal adjective |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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