skeleton

¹skel·e·ton

noun \ˈske-lə-tən\

Definition of SKELETON

1

: a usually rigid supportive or protective structure 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

: something reduced to its minimum form or essential parts

3

: an emaciated person or animal

4

a : something forming a structural framework b : the straight or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic structure of an organic molecule

5

: something shameful and kept secret (as in a family) —often used in the phrase skeleton in the closet

6

: a small sled that is ridden in a prone position and used especially in competition; also : the competition itself

— ske·le·ton·ic \ˌske-lə-ˈtä-nik\ adjective

Examples of SKELETON

1. They found the fossil skeleton of a mastodon.
2. He hung a plastic skeleton on the door for Halloween.
3. She was a skeleton after her illness.
4. Only the charred skeleton of the house remained after the fire.
5. We saw a skeleton of the report before it was published.

Illustration of SKELETON

Origin of SKELETON

New Latin, from Greek, neuter of skeletos dried up; akin to Greek skellein to dry up, sklēros hard and perhaps to Old English sceald shallow

First Known Use: 1578

Related to SKELETON

Synonyms: architecture, armature, cadre, configuration, edifice, fabric, framework, framing, infrastructure, shell, frame, structure

Related Words: cage, lattice, network; contour, figure, outline, profile, shape, silhouette; chassis

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