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skeletons - 3 dictionary results
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skel⋅e⋅ton

  [skel-i-tn]
Use skeletons in a Sentence
–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
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.
—Idioms
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,
a. a family scandal that is concealed to avoid public disgrace.
b. any embarrassing, shameful, or damaging secret.
Origin:
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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skel·e·ton   (skěl'ĭ-tn)   
n.  
    1. The internal structure composed of bone and cartilage that protects and supports the soft organs, tissues, and other parts of a vertebrate organism; endoskeleton.
    2. 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.

[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.
Cite This Source
skeleton   (skěl'ĭ-tn)  Pronunciation Key 


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  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 endoskeleton, exoskeleton.

skeletal adjective
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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