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definitions

skeleton

[skel-i-tn]
See more synonyms for skeleton on Thesaurus.com
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
  1. of or relating to a skeleton.
  2. like or being a mere framework; reduced to the essential or minimal parts or numbers: a skeleton staff.
Idioms
  1. 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.
  2. skeleton in the closet/cupboard,
    1. a family scandal that is concealed to avoid public disgrace.
    2. any embarrassing, shameful, or damaging secret.

Origin of skeleton

1570–80; < New Latin < Greek: mummy, noun use of neuter of skeletós dried up, verbid of skéllein to dry
Related formsskel·e·ton·less, adjectiveskel·e·ton·like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for skeleton in the closet

disgrace, misconduct, scandal, secret, sin, wrongdoing, shocker
British Dictionary definitions for skeleton in the closet

skeleton

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 arthropodsSee 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 essentialsthe skeleton of a novel
  5. (modifier) US and Canadian reduced to a minimuma skeleton staff
  6. skeleton in the cupboard or US and Canadian skeleton in the closet a scandalous fact or event in the past that is kept secret
Derived Formsskeletal, adjectiveskeletally, adverbskeleton-like, adjective

Word Origin for skeleton

C16: via New Latin from Greek: something desiccated, from skellein to dry up
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for skeleton in the closet

skeleton

n.

1570s, from Modern Latin sceleton "bones, bony framework of the body," from Greek skeleton soma "dried-up body, mummy, skeleton," from neuter of skeletos "dried-up" (also, as a noun, "dried body, mummy"), from skellein "dry up, make dry, parch," from PIE root *skele- "to parch, wither" (see sclero-).

Skelton was an early variant form. The noun use of Greek skeletos passed into Late Latin (sceletus), hence French squelette and rare English skelet (1560s), Spanish esqueleto, Italian scheletro. The meaning "bare outline" is first recorded c.1600; hence skeleton crew (1778), skeleton key, etc. Phrase skeleton in the closet "source of secret shame to a person or family" is from 1812.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
skeleton in the closet in Medicine

skeleton

[skĕl′ĭ-tn]
n.
  1. The internal structure composed of bone and cartilage that protects and supports the soft organs, tissues, and other parts of a vertebrate organism; endoskeleton.
  2. All the bones of the body taken collectively.
  3. The exoskeleton.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
skeleton in the closet in Science

skeleton

[skĕl′ĭ-tn]
  1. 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.
  2. A hard protective covering or supporting structure of invertebrate animals. See also endoskeleton exoskeleton.
Related formsskeletal adjective
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
skeleton in the closet in Culture

skeleton in the closet

A potentially embarrassing secret: “Before nominating the new judge, the committee asked him if he had any skeletons in the closet.”

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Idioms and Phrases with skeleton in the closet

skeleton in the closet

A shameful secret, as in Both her parents were alcoholics; that was the skeleton in her closet. This metaphoric term alludes to a murder victim long concealed in a closet, possibly based on some true incident that is now forgotten. [Early 1800s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.