Etymology From New Latin sceleton, from Ancient Greek σκελετόν (skeletón), the neuter of σκελετός (skeletós, “dried up, withered, dried body, parched, mummy”), from σκέλλω (skéllō, “dry, dry up, make dry, parch”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelh₁- (“to parch, wither”); compare Ancient Greek σκληρός (sklērós, “hard”).
Anatomy, Medicine, Sciences The system that provides support to an organism, internal and made up of bones and cartilage in vertebrates, external in some other animals.
At the foot of a pretty big pine, and involved in a green creeper, which had even partly lifted some of the smaller bones, a human skeleton lay, with a few shreds of clothing, on the ground.1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, “The Treasure Hunt—Flint’s Pointer”, in Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC, part VI (Captain Silver), page 263:
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An anthropomorphic representation of a skeleton.
She dressed up as a skeleton for Halloween.
A Day or two after they parted, [Francis] Spriggs was choſe Captain by the reſt, and a black Enſign was made, which they called Jolly Roger, with the ſame Device that Captain [Edward] Low carried, viz. a white Skeliton in the Middle of it, with a Dart in one Hand ſtriking a bleeding Heart, and in the other, an Hour Glaſs; when this was finiſhed and hoiſted, they fired all their Guns to ſalute their Captain and themſelves, and then looked out for Prey.1724, Charles Johnson [pseudonym], “Of Captain Spriggs and His Crew”, in A General History of the Pyrates, […], 2nd edition, London: Printed for, and sold by T. Warner, […], →OCLC, pages 411–412:
She lost so much weight while she was ill that she became a skeleton.
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Figuratively The central core of something that gives shape to the entire structure; an outline of a longer project.
The skeleton of the organisation is essentially the same as it was ten years ago, but many new faces have come and gone.
I've written three stories. Well, one is a skeleton, but the other two are mostly complete.
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Architecture A frame that provides support to a building or other construction.
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Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences A client-helper procedure that communicates with a stub.
In remote method invocation, the client helper is a ‘stub’ and the service helper is a ‘skeleton’.
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Geometry, Mathematics, Sciences The vertices and edges of a polyhedron, taken collectively.
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Category theory, Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences A full subcategory of another category, consisting of one object from each isomorphism class in the original.
At the time of writing the halts have been reprieved due to doubts as to the legality of the withdrawal of services. It is feared that this reprieve may not outlast the summer timetable which, on the section in question, provides only a skeleton of the former service.1960 August, L. Hyland, “The Irish Scene”, in Trains Illustrated, page 468:
The rail industry has survived the first fortnight of the UK's COVID-19 crisis. Quick intervention from the Department of Transport has ensured that franchise operators will remain solvent during this period; rapid work to replan the timetable has delivered a minimum viable service plan; and the Kitchener-esque appeal for retired signal workers should ensure that the network can continue to operate a skeleton service.2020 April 8, Matt Lovering, “An opportunity for the rail industry to deliver major change”, in Rail, page 46:
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Biology, Botany, Natural sciences The network of veins in a leaf.
However interesting the skeleton of a leaf that has been bleached by nature may be, it cannot be alleged to be beautiful in colour, and therefore it is not of much value for the purposes of household decoration.1870, Robert Kemp Philp, Best of everything, by the author of 'Enquire within'., page 336:
Rather than abstracting the leaf from the outline of the leaf, I can begin by working from the skeleton of the leaf.2010, Ruth B. McDowell, Piecing: Expanding The Basics:
1 more example
This is going to get rid of all the green leafy debris sticking to the skeleton of the leaf and you are going to find a really attractive fiber network of your leaf.2016, Dueep Jyot Singh, John Davidson, Mendon Cottage Books, Skeleton Leaves - Preserving Leaves for Everlasting Beauty, page 10:
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Abbreviation, Clipping, Idiomatic Clipping of skeleton in the closet (“a shameful secret”).
Etymology From New Latin sceleton, from Ancient Greek σκελετόν (skeletón), the neuter of σκελετός (skeletós, “dried up, withered, dried body, parched, mummy”), from σκέλλω (skéllō, “dry, dry up, make dry, parch”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelh₁- (“to parch, wither”); compare Ancient Greek σκληρός (sklērós, “hard”).
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Archaic To reduce to a skeleton; to skin; to skeletonize.
Etymology The etymology of the term is disputed between two versions. * From the sled used, which originally was a bare frame, like a skeleton. * From Norwegian kjaelke (a type of ice sled) through a bad anglicization as "skele".
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Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports A type of tobogganing in which competitors lie face down, and descend head first.
Lugers, who slide feet first and reach the highest speeds, experience some of the same forces, but seem to suffer far fewer concussion-like symptoms than bobsled and skeleton athletes do, probably because a support strap often prevents their heads from banging into the ice.2020 July 26, Matthew Futterman, “Sledhead”, in New York Times: