skeletons

Main Entry:: ¹skel·e·ton
Pronunciation:: \ˈske-lə-tən\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: New Latin, from Greek, neuter of skeletos dried up; akin to Greek skellein to dry up, sklēros hard and perhaps to Old English sceald shallow
Date:: 1578

1: a usually rigid supportive or protective structure or framework of an organism ; especially : the bony or more or less cartilaginous framework supporting the soft tissues and protecting the internal organs of a vertebrate2: something reduced to its minimum form or essential parts3: an emaciated person or animal4 a: something forming a structural framework b: the straight or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic structure of an organic molecule5: something shameful and kept secret (as in a family) —often used in the phrase skeleton in the closet6: a small sled that is ridden in a prone position and used especially in competition ; also : the competition itself

— ske·le·ton·ic

\ˌske-lə-ˈtä-nik\ adjective

[skeleton illustration]

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