Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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.
\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}.