Definition of: skeleton

(skel′ə·tən) noun
1. The framework of an animal body, composed of bone and cartilage. The skeletal structure either surrounds and shields the vital organs, as the exoskeleton of a turtle, or is embedded within the body, as the endoskeleton of man and the vertebrates.
2. Any open framework constituting the main supporting parts of a structure: the skeleton of a house.
3. A mere sketch or outline of anything, especially of some literary production: the skeleton of an address.
4. A person or animal very thin by nature or loss of flesh; also, a band or troop whose numbers have been greatly thinned out. See synonyms under SKETCH.
—skeleton in the closet A secret source of shame or discredit. See FAMILY SKELETON.
—adjective Consisting merely of a framework or outline; resembling a skeleton in use or appearance; meager; emaciated. [<NL <Gk. skeleton (sōma) dried (body), mummy <skeletos dried up]