About The Word Skeleton
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Learn about the word Skeleton to help solve your crossword puzzle. Discover Skeleton definitions and meaning, origins, synonyms, related terms and more at the free Crossword Dictionary.
Skeleton
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Skeleton Definition And Meaning |
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What's The Definition Of Skeleton?
[n] the internal supporting structure that gives an artifact its shape; "the building has a steel skeleton"
[n] the hard structure (bones and cartilages) that provides a frame for the body of an animal Synonyms | Synonyms for Skeleton: frame | frame | skeletal frame | skeletal system | systema skeletale | underframe Related Terms | Find terms related to Skeleton: See Also | aircraft | building | chassis | edifice | endoskeleton | exoskeleton | hoop | musculoskeletal system | ship | skeletal structure | supporting structure | system Skeleton In Webster's Dictionary \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.
\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}. |
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