Dictionary
1skeleton
noun skel·e·ton \ˈske-lə-tən\
: the structure of bones that supports the body of a person or animal
: a set or model of all the bones in the body of a person
: a very thin person or animal
Full 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
See skeleton defined for English-language learners
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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
2skeleton
adjective
: having the smallest possible number of people who can get a job done
Full Definition of SKELETON
: of, consisting of, or resembling a skeleton
See skeleton defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SKELETON
1778
SKELETON Defined for Kids
skeleton
noun skel·e·ton \ˈske-lə-tən\
Definition of SKELETON for Kids
1
: a firm structure or framework of a living thing that in vertebrates (as fish, birds, or humans) is typically made of bone and supports the soft tissues of the body and protects the internal organs
2
: framework <the steel skeleton of a building>
Medical Dictionary
skeleton
noun skel·e·ton \ˈskel-ət-ən\
Medical 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
: the straight or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic structure of an organic molecule
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