Definition

1. Noun:
   • The internal supporting structure that gives an artifact its shape: A framework, often made of a strong material like steel or wood, that supports a building, vehicle, or other object.
   • The hard structure (bones and cartilages) that provides a frame for the body of an animal: The system of bones that supports and protects the soft tissues of a vertebrate organism.
   • A scandal that is kept secret: A discreditable or shameful fact about a person or group that is concealed from public knowledge.
   • Something reduced to its minimal form: The most basic, essential, or greatly reduced version of something, lacking its former fullness or detail.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The building has a steel skeleton. (Referring to the internal framework.)
  • The human skeleton consists of 206 bones. (Referring to the bony structure of the body.)
  • Every family has a skeleton in the closet. (Referring to a hidden secret or scandal.)
  • After the budget cuts, the department was reduced to a skeleton staff. (Referring to a minimal, essential form.)

Advanced Usage

• "a skeleton in the closet" (idiom): A shameful or embarrassing secret that a person or family tries to hide.
  • The politician feared the media would discover the skeleton in his closet.
• "skeleton crew/staff": The smallest number of people needed to maintain a basic operation.
  • Only a skeleton crew works in the factory on holidays.
• "skeleton key": A key designed to open many different locks.
  • The old skeleton key unlocked every door in the mansion.

Variants and Related Words

• Skeletal (adj): Relating to or functioning as a skeleton; very thin or minimal.
  • The patient showed signs of skeletal weakness.
  • He provided only a skeletal outline of the plan.
• Skeletonize (verb): To reduce to a skeleton or bare outline.
  • The insects will skeletonize the leaves.

Synonyms

• Framework: A basic supporting structure.
• Bones: The hard parts forming a skeleton.
• Outline: A general description covering the main points but not details.
• Core: The central or most important part.

Related Phrases

• Skeleton at the feast (idiom): A person or thing that casts a gloom over enjoyment; a reminder of trouble or sadness during a time of celebration.
  • His gloomy presence was the skeleton at the feast.

Idioms

• Skeleton in the cupboard/closet: A hidden and shocking secret.
  • Their wealthy reputation hid a dark skeleton in the cupboard.

Noun

1. the internal supporting structure that gives an artifact its shape
   • the building has a steel skeleton
2. the hard structure (bones and cartilages) that provides a frame for the body of an animal
3. a scandal that is kept secret
   • there must be a skeleton somewhere in that family's closet
4. something reduced to its minimal form
   • the battalion was a mere skeleton of its former self
   • the bare skeleton of a novel