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. See exoskeleton, endoskeleton
   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
   skeleton in the cupboardskeleton 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

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

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

Once the system had these data, it could track that person’s skeleton.

From Science News For Students

When his team examined the fossilized embryos, they noticed egg-shaped halos around the skeletons.

From Science News For Students

It’s all based on coral — small marine animals that build themselves stony skeletons, often on top of older corals.

From Science News For Students

That light — including its blue wavelengths — can enter and bounce around inside the corals’ skeleton.

From Science News For Students

As they crawl over the reef, the starfish liquefy polyps with digestive enzymes, sponging up the nutrients and leaving behind a coral skeleton.

From Science News

That meant the talent that DJ Brinsely hired that night performed for a skeleton audience.

From The Daily Beast

The identity of the skeleton remains the big question, and answers may not be forthcoming anytime soon.

From The Daily Beast

Enriqueta Romero put a skeleton on the sidewalk, and helped give us Santa Muerte.

From The Daily Beast

Day of the Dead parades follow a cross-cultural flow, embellishing Halloween stylizations of the dancing skeleton.

From The Daily Beast

Posada used the skeleton as a way of talking about politics, commenting on life.

From The Daily Beast

The sun was printing over the floor the shadow skeleton of the juniper-tree by the westerly window.

From Project Gutenberg

The mutilated skeleton of a girl was found, which had apparently been in that place for considerably over a hundred years.

From Project Gutenberg

A well preserved natural skeleton of this animal was brought home and deposited in the British Museum.

From Project Gutenberg

The veriest tyro in natural history would see that at the first glance of the massive skeleton.

From Project Gutenberg

The chestnuts are stripped bare already and lift their black skeleton arms in the air.

From Project Gutenberg

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.