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   skeleton

   /ˈskɛlɪtn/

   noun

   • 1. an internal or external framework of bone, cartilage, or other rigid material supporting or containing the body of an animal or plant: "the human skeleton"
   • ▪ used in reference to a very thin or emaciated person or animal: "she was no more than a skeleton at the end" Similar skin and bonestickscraginformal:bag of bonesskinnymalinkyarchaic:starveling
   • ▪ the remaining part of something after its life or usefulness is gone: "the chapel was stripped to a skeleton of its former self"
   • 2. the supporting framework, basic structure, or essential part of something: "the concrete skeleton of an unfinished building" Similar frameworkbasic structureframeshellchassisoutlinedraftabstractplanblueprintmain pointsbonesbare bonessketchrough draft
   • ▪ denoting the essential or minimum number of people, things, or parts necessary for something: "there was only a skeleton staff on duty"
   • 3. a small toboggan for one person, ridden head first while lying in a prone position: "the skeleton's runners make a terrifying rumbling sound as they slide down the ice"
   • ▪ a sport in which a competitor races down a frozen track on a skeleton sled: "the former heptathlete took up skeleton in 2010"

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

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • S

     1

   • K

     5

   • E

     1

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

   • T

     1

   • O

     1

   • N

     1

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