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skeleton

n. · v.
US //ˈskɛɫətən// UK //skˈɛlɪtən// skele·ton
  1. 1 bones of a body (n.)
    A2 Elementary Medicine

    the frame of bones inside a human or animal body that supports it.

    the internal framework of bones and cartilage that provides structural support and protection for the organs of a vertebrate.

    Example

    The biology students studied a plastic skeleton to learn the names of the bones.

    Example

    The archaeological dig uncovered a nearly complete skeleton, allowing researchers to determine the individual's height and approximate age at death.
  2. 2 structural frame (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the basic frame or structure of a building or plan.

    the essential supporting structure or central core of a construction or organization.

    Example

    The steel skeleton of the new skyscraper was visible from miles away.

    Example

    The author spent months developing the skeleton of the plot before writing a single chapter of the actual novel.
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  1. 3 winter sport (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    a winter sport where a person slides down ice on a small sled, lying face down.

    a winter sliding sport in which a person rides a small sled down a frozen track while lying prone and head-first.

    Example

    Watching the skeleton in the Winter Olympics looks very dangerous because of the high speeds.

    Example

    The athlete maintained a perfectly aerodynamic position throughout the skeleton run, eventually breaking the track record by several hundredths of a second.
    • tobogganing
  2. 4 minimum staff or plan (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the smallest number of people or things needed to keep something working.

    the minimum number of personnel or essential elements required to maintain basic operations.

    Example

    The office only has a skeleton staff working during the Christmas holidays.

    Example

    Due to the budget cuts, the department was forced to operate with a skeleton crew for the remainder of the fiscal year.

    Usage

    Often used as a modifier before another noun, as in 'skeleton staff'.
  3. 5 a shameful secret (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    a secret from the past that would be embarrassing if people found out.

    a clipping of the idiom 'skeleton in the closet', referring to a hidden, discreditable fact about someone.

    Example

    Every family has a skeleton or two that they prefer not to talk about.

    Example

    The journalist spent weeks digging into the candidate's past, hoping to find a skeleton that would derail the campaign.
  4. 6 to reduce to bones (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    to take everything away until only the frame or bones are left.

    to reduce an object or body to its essential framework or bony structure.

    Example

    The desert sun and wind had skeletonized the remains of the old wagon.

    Example

    The harsh conditions of the shipwreck had served to skeletonize the vessel, leaving only the heavy timber ribs protruding from the sand.
Etymology 1

From New Latin sceleton, from Ancient Greek σκελετόν (skeletón), the neuter of σκελετός (skeletós, “dried up, withered, dried body, parched, mummy”), from σκέλλω (skéllō, “dry, dry up, make dry, parch”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelh₁- (“to parch, wither”); compare Ancient Greek σκληρός (sklērós, “hard”).

Etymology 2

The etymology of the term is disputed between two versions. * From the sled used, which originally was a bare frame, like a skeleton. * From Norwegian kjaelke (a type of ice sled) through a bad anglicization as "skele".

Word family
Idioms4 entries

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