3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Skeleton  \Skel"e*ton\,  n.  [NL.,  fr  Gr  ????  (sc.  ???)  a  dried 
  body,  a  mummy,  fr  ????  dried  up  parched,  ????  to  dry,  dry 
  up  parch.] 
  1.  (Anat.) 
  a  The  bony  and  cartilaginous  framework  which  supports 
  the  soft  parts  of  a  vertebrate  animal. 
 
  Note:  [See  Illust.  of  the  Human  Skeleton,  in  Appendix.] 
  b  The  more  or  less  firm  or  hardened  framework  of  an 
  invertebrate  animal. 
 
  Note:  In  a  wider  sense  the  skeleton  includes  the  whole 
  connective-tissue  framework  with  the  integument  and  its 
  appendages.  See  {Endoskeleton},  and  {Exoskeleton}. 
 
  2.  Hence  figuratively: 
  a  A  very  thin  or  lean  person. 
  b  The  framework  of  anything  the  principal  parts  that 
  support  the  rest,  but  without  the  appendages. 
 
  The  great  skeleton  of  the  world.  --Sir  M.  Hale. 
  c  The  heads  and  outline  of  a  literary  production, 
  especially  of  a  sermon. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Skeleton  \Skel"e*ton\,  a. 
  Consisting  of  or  resembling,  a  skeleton;  consisting  merely 
  of  the  framework  or  outlines;  having  only  certain  leading 
  features  of  anything  as  a  skeleton  sermon;  a  skeleton 
  crystal. 
 
  {Skeleton  bill},  a  bill  or  draft  made  out  in  blank  as  to  the 
  amount  or  payee,  but  signed  by  the  acceptor.  [Eng.] 
 
  {Skeleton  key},  a  key  with  nearly  the  whole  substance  of  the 
  web  filed  away  to  adapt  it  to  avoid  the  wards  of  a  lock; 
  a  master  key;  --  used  for  opening  locks  to  which  it  has 
  not  been  especially  fitted. 
 
  {Skeleton  leaf},  a  leaf  from  which  the  pulpy  part  has  been 
  removed  by  chemical  means  the  fibrous  part  alone 
  remaining. 
 
  {Skeleton  proof},  a  proof  of  a  print  or  engraving,  with  the 
  inscription  outlined  in  hair  strokes  only,  such  proofs 
  being  taken  before  the  engraving  is  finished. 
 
  {Skeleton  regiment},  a  regiment  which  has  its  complement  of 
  officers,  but  in  which  there  are  few  enlisted  men. 
 
  {Skeleton  shrimp}  (Zo["o]l.),  a  small  crustacean  of  the  genus 
  {Caprella}.  See  Illust.  under  {L[ae]modipoda}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  skeleton 
  n  1:  the  hard  structure  that  provides  a  frame  for  the  body  of  an 
  animal  [syn:  {frame}] 
  2:  the  internal  structure  that  gives  an  artifact  its  shape; 
  "the  building  has  a  steel  skeleton"  [syn:  {frame},  {underframe}] 

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