Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Skeleton
Skel′e-ton
,Noun.
[NL., fr. Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] (sc. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK]) a dried body, a mummy, fr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] dried up, parched, [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] to dry, dry up, parch.]
1.
(Anat.)
(a)
The bony and cartilaginous framework which supports the soft parts of a vertebrate animal.
[See Illust. of the Human Skeleton, in Appendix.]
(b)
The more or less firm or hardened framework of an invertebrate animal.
☞ In a wider sense, the skeleton includes the whole connective-tissue framework with the integument and its appendages. See
Endoskeleton
, and Exoskeleton
. 2.
Hence, figuratively: (a)
A very thin or lean person.
(b)
The framework of anything; the principal parts that support the rest, but without the appendages.
The great
skeleton
of the world. Sir M. Hale.
(c)
The heads and outline of a literary production, especially of a sermon.
Skel′e-ton
,Adj.
Consisting of, or resembling, a skeleton; consisting merely of the framework or outlines; having only certain leading features of anything;
as, a
skeleton
sermon; a skeleton
crystal.Skeleton bill
, a bill or draft made out in blank as to the amount or payee, but signed by the acceptor.
[Eng.]
– Skeleton key
, a key with nearly the whole substance of the web filed away, to adapt it to avoid the wards of a lock; a master key; – used for opening locks to which it has not been especially fitted.
– Skeleton leaf
, a leaf from which the pulpy part has been removed by chemical means, the fibrous part alone remaining.
– Skeleton proof
, a proof of a print or engraving, with the inscription outlined in hair strokes only, such proofs being taken before the engraving is finished.
– Skeleton regiment
, a regiment which has its complement of officers, but in which there are few enlisted men.
– Skeleton shrimp
(Zool.)
, a small crustacean of the genus
Caprella
. See Illust. under Laemodipoda
.Webster 1828 Edition
Skeleton
SKEL'ETON
,Noun.
1.
The bones of an animal body, separated from the flesh and retained in their natural position or connections. When the bones are connected by the natural ligaments, it is called a natural skeleton; when by wires, or any foreign substance, an artificial skeleton.2.
The compages, general structure or frame of any thing; the principal parts that support the rest, but without the appendages.3.
A very thin or lean person.Definition 2024
skeleton
skeleton
English
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Alternative forms
- sceleton (obsolete)
Noun
skeleton (plural skeletons or skeleta)
- (anatomy) The system that provides support to an organism, internal and made up of bones and cartilage in vertebrates, external in some other animals.
- 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island,
- At the foot of a pretty big pine, and involved in a green creeper, which had even partly lifted some of the smaller bones, a human skeleton lay, with a few shreds of clothing, on the ground.
- 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island,
- A frame that provides support to a building or other construction.
- (figuratively) A very thin person.
- She lost so much weight while she was ill that she became a skeleton.
- (From the sled used, which originally was a bare frame, like a skeleton.) A type of tobogganing in which competitors lie face down, and descend head first (compare luge). See Wikipedia:Skeleton (sport)
- (computing) A client-helper procedure that communicates with a stub.
- RMI Nomenclature: in RMI, the client helper is a 'stub' and the service helper is a 'skeleton'.
- (geometry) The vertices and edges of a polyhedron, taken collectively.
- An anthropomorphic representation of a skeleton. See Wikipedia:Skeleton (undead)
- She dressed up as a skeleton for Halloween.
- (figuratively) The central core of something that gives shape to the entire structure.
- The skeleton of the organisation is essentially the same as it was ten years ago, but many new faces have come and gone.
Synonyms
- (anatomy): ottomy (obsolete)
- (type of tobogganing): skeleton tobogganing
- (central core giving shape to something): backbone
- (very thin person): See also Wikisaurus:thin person
Antonyms
- (computing): stub
Derived terms
Related terms
Related terms
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Translations
system that provides support to an organism
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frame that provides support to a building
very thin person
type of tobogganing
computing: client-helper procedure
See also
Verb
skeleton (third-person singular simple present skeletons, present participle skeletoning, simple past and past participle skeletoned)
- (archaic) to reduce to a skeleton; to skin; to skeletonize
- (archaic) to minimize