skeleton

Definitions


[ˈskɛlɪtn], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an internal or external framework of bone, cartilage, or other rigid material supporting or containing the body of an animal or plant
(e.g: the human skeleton)

- the supporting framework, basic structure, or essential part of something
(e.g: the concrete skeleton of an unfinished building)

- a small toboggan for one person, ridden head first while lying in a prone position
(e.g: the skeleton's runners make a terrifying rumbling sound as they slide down the ice)


Phrases:
- skeleton in the cupboard

Origin:
late 16th century: modern Latin, from Greek, neuter of skeletos ‘dried up’, from skellein ‘dry up’




definition by Oxford Dictionaries