skeletal

[skel-i-tl]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR skeletal ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, relating to, or like a skeleton.

Nearby words

Origin of skeletal

First recorded in 1850–55; skelet(on) + -al¹

Related formsskel·e·tal·ly, adverbnon·skel·e·tal, adjectivenon·skel·e·tal·ly, adverbpseu·do·skel·e·tal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for skeletal

Once emblematic of American military muscle, the outposts are now skeletal shells.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley|Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What stories the skeletal remains of our century will tell remains to be seen.
War! What Is It Good For? A Lot|Nick Romeo|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It wasn't until he got closer that he discovered it was the skeletal remains of a human being.
Headless Torso Found in Venice Lagoon|Barbie Latza Nadeau|June 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
McCotter has only a skeletal staff that is still working on the basics.
2012’s Invisible Candidate|Michelle Cottle|August 12, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Her skeletal remains were found 12 days later in the foothills near Los Angeles.
A Serial Killer's Final Victims?|Christine Pelisek|January 26, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In our study we examined 4151 preserved frogs, 93 skeletal preparations, 88 lots of tadpoles and young, and six lots of eggs.
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca|William E. Duellman
The principal structural characters effected were in the postcranial anatomy, especially in the skeletal and muscular systems.
Evolution and Classification of the Pocket Gophers of the Subfamily Geomyinae|Robert J. Russell
The mesenchymal tissue between the mesothelium and the ectoderm forms the mass of the skeletal, muscular and vascular systems.
The Anatomy of the Human Peritoneum and Abdominal Cavity|George. S. Huntington
These have the form of minute rods, needles or hairs, and are aggregated into feathery and spherulitic forms or skeletal crystals.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 7|Various
The muscular mechanisms used by the singer and speaker are of the skeletal variety.
Voice Production in Singing and Speaking|Wesley Mills

Word Origin and History for skeletal

skeletal

adj.

1849, from skeleton + -al (1). Related: Skeletally.

Science definitions for skeletal

skeleton

[skĕl′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.

Related formsskeletal adjective

skeletal

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of skeletal

Examples from the Web for skeletal

skeletal

skeleton