skeleton

[ skel-i-tn ]

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

1. of or relating to a skeleton.
2. like or being a mere framework; reduced to the essential or minimal parts or numbers:

   a skeleton staff.

skeleton

/ ˈskɛlɪtən /

noun

1. a hard framework consisting of inorganic material that supports and protects the soft parts of an animal's body and provides attachment for muscles: may be internal (an endoskeleton), as in vertebrates, or external( an exoskeleton), as in arthropods See also endoskeleton exoskeleton
2. informal.
   a very thin emaciated person or animal
3. the essential framework of any structure, such as a building or leaf, that supports or determines the shape of the rest of the structure
4. an outline consisting of bare essentials

   the skeleton of a novel

5. modifier reduced to a minimum

   a skeleton staff

6. skeleton in the cupboard or skeleton in the closet
   a scandalous fact or event in the past that is kept secret

skeleton

/ skĕl′ĭ-tn /

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.
3. See also endoskeleton

Derived Forms

• ˈskeleton-ˌlike, adjective
• ˈskeletal, adjective
• ˈskeletally, adverb

Other Words From

• skele·ton·less adjective
• skele·ton·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of skeleton¹

1570–80; < New Latin < Greek: mummy, noun use of neuter of skeletós dried up, verbid of skéllein to dry

Word History and Origins

Origin of skeleton¹

C16: via New Latin from Greek: something desiccated, from skellein to dry up

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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.
2. skeleton in the closet / cupboard,
   1. a family scandal that is concealed to avoid public disgrace.
   2. any embarrassing, shameful, or damaging secret.

Example Sentences

She told MPs that this included a “foetal skeleton posed under a glass dome, a human thigh bone turned into a cane, a human jawbone necklace and the varnished skull of a six-year-old”.

From BBC

Another discovery showed how the human skeleton forms in the womb in the weeks after conception.

From BBC

Saber-toothed cats are iconic creatures often seen in museum dioramas, displays of fossil skeletons, and even the movie Ice Age.

From Science Magazine

From a half-dozen fossil skeletons, paleontologists assemble a representative of the Gnatalie species, their best educated assumption of what the animal looked like.

From Los Angeles Times

The skeleton of Splash Mountain and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is the same, that is the ride still features its cleverly designed track layout, one that manages to disguise twists, turns and drops.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• frame
• scaffolding

More About Skeleton The Sport

What is the sport of skeleton?

Skeleton is a sport in which an individual racer rides a small, railed sled headfirst down an ice-covered chute with the goal of reaching the finish line as quickly as possible. The sled itself is also called a skeleton.

The sport is sometimes also called skeleton sledding. The sled is sometimes called a skeleton bobsled or skeleton bobsleigh. Racers steer by making slight shifts in their body position. To slow down, racers can drag a foot on the ice.

Skeleton is known as one of the sliding sports, along with luge and bobsleigh (also called bobsled), which take place on a similar course. In skeleton, racers ride on their stomachs, in contrast with luge, in which racers lie on their backs.

Skeleton is an event in the Winter Olympics.

Due to the vulnerable position of the athletes and the extremely high speeds they can reach—over 80 mph (129 km/h)—skeleton is considered one of the most dangerous winter sports.

Example: Skeleton seems very similar to luge, but the strategies used in each sport are actually quite different.

Where does skeleton come from?

The sport of skeleton and its name can be traced to the late 1800s. The sled may get its name from the skeletal appearance of early versions.

The sport was developed in the 1880s in Switzerland, where it was popularized at the Cresta Run, a famous toboggan and luge slope. In the late 1880s, competitions there began featuring skeleton as an independent event (separate from the similar luge).

Skeleton was featured at the Winter Olympics first in 1928 and then again in 1948—both years when the Winter Games were hosted in Switzerland. The event was added to the Winter Olympics again in 2002 and has been featured at every one since.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for skeleton (the sport)?

• skeleton sledding

What are some synonyms for skeleton (the sled)?

• skeleton sled
• skeleton bobsled
• skeleton bobsleigh

What are some words that often get used in discussing skeleton?

• Winter Olympics
• luge
• bobsled
• bobsleigh
• chute

How is skeleton used in real life?

Skeleton is known as one of the most dangerous winter sports. It is especially popular in its birthplace, Switzerland, and nearby countries. It often enters greater mainstream awareness around the time of the Winter Olympics

4 years ago today, @jrmonty12 won gold in Skeleton. Still my fave moment. Jon swigged, and Canada was smitten. #thx pic.twitter.com/fnrFY9VWRK

— Jennifer Hedger (@jenniferhedger) February 20, 2014

After Vancouver 2010 there was a spark that ignited a nation. Through the legacy of that games I joined the sport of skeleton. Coming from Sherwood Park, Alberta and being able to have the legacy of 1988 in my own province I was able to train and compete for my dream.

— Kevin Boyer (@KBoyer93) October 26, 2018

💪The sport of #skeleton has its roots in one of the most popular winter pastimes: sleighing.🛷 Men's Singles and Women's Singles events will be held at #Beijing2022, and the competition for a podium finish will be fierce!✨🎉 pic.twitter.com/t73LapxYuO

— Beijing 2022 (@Beijing2022) January 29, 2022

 

Try using skeleton!

True or False? 

The sleds in skeleton have brakes.