Skeleton Meaning
/ˈskɛlɪtən/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe system that provides support to an organism, internal and made up of bones and cartilage in vertebrates, external in some other animals.
nounAn anthropomorphic representation of a skeleton.
Sentence Examples
There is a skeleton in every closet.
Tom Skeleton was shaking and trembling in every limb.
Every family has a skeleton in the closet.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The biology class examined a human ____ that protects the spinal cord.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The museum display featured a complete ____ of a Tyrannosaurus Rex discovered in Montana.
Word Origin & History
From New Latin sceleton, from Ancient Greek σκελετόν (skeletón), the neuter of σκελετός (skeletós, “dried up, withered, dried body, parched, mummy”), from σκέλλω (skéllō, “dry, dry up, make dry, parch”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelh₁- (“to parch, wither”); compare Ancient Greek σκληρός (sklērós, “hard”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"At the foot of a pretty big pine, and involved in a green creeper, which had even partly lifted some of the smaller bones, a human skeleton lay, with a few shreds of clothing, on the ground."
— 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, “The Treasure Hunt—Flint’s Pointer”, in Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC, part VI (Captain Silver), page 263:
"A Day or two after they parted, [Francis] Spriggs was choſe Captain by the reſt, and a black Enſign was made, which they called Jolly Roger, with the ſame Device that Captain [Edward] Low carried, viz. a white Skeliton in the Middle of it, with a Dart in one Hand ſtriking a bleeding Heart, and in the other, an Hour Glaſs; when this was finiſhed and hoiſted, they fired all their Guns to ſalute their Captain and themſelves, and then looked out for Prey."
— 1724, Charles Johnson [pseudonym], “Of Captain Spriggs and His Crew”, in A General History of the Pyrates, […], 2nd edition, London: Printed for, and sold by T. Warner, […], →OCLC, pages 411–412:
"At the time of writing the halts have been reprieved due to doubts as to the legality of the withdrawal of services. It is feared that this reprieve may not outlast the summer timetable which, on the section in question, provides only a skeleton of the former service."
— 1960 August, L. Hyland, “The Irish Scene”, in Trains Illustrated, page 468:
"The rail industry has survived the first fortnight of the UK's COVID-19 crisis. Quick intervention from the Department of Transport has ensured that franchise operators will remain solvent during this period; rapid work to replan the timetable has delivered a minimum viable service plan; and the Kitchener-esque appeal for retired signal workers should ensure that the network can continue to operate a skeleton service."
— 2020 April 8, Matt Lovering, “An opportunity for the rail industry to deliver major change”, in Rail, page 46:
"However interesting the skeleton of a leaf that has been bleached by nature may be, it cannot be alleged to be beautiful in colour, and therefore it is not of much value for the purposes of household decoration."
— 1870, Robert Kemp Philp, Best of everything, by the author of 'Enquire within'., page 336:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The biology class examined a human ____ that protects the spinal cord.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The museum display featured a complete ____ of a Tyrannosaurus Rex discovered in Montana.