¦ noun
1. an internal or external framework of bone, cartilage, or other rigid material supporting or containing the body of an animal or plant.
a very thin or emaciated person or animal.
2. a supporting framework, basic structure, or essential participle
[as modifier] denoting an essential or minimum number of people or things: a skeleton staff.
Phrases
skeleton in the cupboard (N. Amer. skeleton in the closet) a discreditable or embarrassing fact that someone wishes to keep secret.
Derivatives
skeletonize or skeletonise verb
Origin
C16: mod. L., from Gk, neut. of skeletos 'dried up'.