Skeleton

noun
1.
Anatomy, Zoology. the bones of a human or an animal considered as a whole, together forming the framework of the body.
2.
any of various structures forming a rigid framework in an invertebrate.
3.
an emaciated person or animal.
4.
a supporting framework, as of a leaf, building, or ship.
5.
an outline, as of a literary work:
the skeleton of the plot.
6.
something reduced to its essential parts.
adjective
7.
of or relating to a skeleton.
8.
like or being a mere framework; reduced to the essential or minimal parts or numbers:
a skeleton staff.
Idioms
9.
skeleton at the feast, a person or thing that casts gloom over a joyful occasion; a note or reminder of sorrow in the midst of joy.
10.
skeleton in the closet / cupboard,

a family scandal that is concealed to avoid public disgrace.
any embarrassing, shameful, or damaging secret.

noun
1.
a hard framework consisting of inorganic material that supports and protects the soft parts of an animal’s body and provides attachment for muscles: may be internal (an endoskeleton), as in vertebrates, or external(an exoskeleton), as in arthropods See also endoskeleton, exoskeleton
2.
(informal) a very thin emaciated person or animal
3.
the essential framework of any structure, such as a building or leaf, that supports or determines the shape of the rest of the structure
4.
an outline consisting of bare essentials: the skeleton of a novel
5.
(modifier) (US & Canadian) reduced to a minimum: a skeleton staff
6.
skeleton in the cupboard, (US & Canadian) skeleton in the closet, a scandalous fact or event in the past that is kept secret

skeleton skel·e·ton (skěl’ĭ-tn)
n.

The internal structure composed of bone and cartilage that protects and supports the soft organs, tissues, and other parts of a vertebrate organism; endoskeleton.

All the bones of the body taken collectively.

The exoskeleton.

skeleton
(skěl’ĭ-tn)

The internal structure of vertebrate animals, composed of bone or cartilage, that supports the body, serves as a framework for the attachment of muscles, and protects the vital organs and associated structures.

A hard protective covering or supporting structure of invertebrate animals. See also endoskeleton, exoskeleton.

skeletal adjective