skeleton (ˈskɛlɪtən) ![]() | |
| —n | |
| 1. | endoskeleton See also exoskeleton a hard framework consisting of inorganic material that supports and protects the soft parts of an animal's body and provides attachment for muscles: may be internal (an endoskeleton), as in vertebrates, or external( an exoskeleton), as in arthropods |
| 2. | informal a very thin emaciated person or animal |
| 3. | the essential framework of any structure, such as a building or leaf, that supports or determines the shape of the rest of the structure |
| 4. | an outline consisting of bare essentials: the skeleton of a novel |
| 5. | (US), (Canadian) (modifier) reduced to a minimum: a skeleton staff |
| 6. | skeleton in the cupboard, skeleton in the closet a scandalous fact or event in the past that is kept secret |
| [C16: via New Latin from Greek: something desiccated, from skellein to dry up] | |
| 'skeletal | |
| —adj | |
| 'skeletally | |
| —adv | |
| 'skeleton-like | |
| —adj | |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
skeleton (skěl'ĭ-tn) Pronunciation Key
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skeletal adjective |