1an 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
the remaining part of something after its life or usefulness is gone:the chapel was stripped to a skeleton of its former self
2the supporting framework, basic structure, or essential part of something:the concrete skeleton of an unfinished buildingthe skeleton of a report
[as modifier] denoting the essential or minimum number of people, things, or parts necessary for something:there was only a skeleton staff on duty
skeleton in the cupboard
(North Americanskeleton in the closet)
a discreditable or embarrassing fact that someone wishes to keep secret.
