skeleton
/ˈskelɪtən/noun
1- an internal or external framework of bone, cartilage, or other rigid material supporting or containing the body of an animal or plant骨骼。
1.1
- used in exaggerated reference to a very thin or emaciated person or animal瘦骨嶙峋（或憔悴）的人（或动物）：
she was no more than a skeleton at the end.
她最后瘦得只剩下骨头。
1.2
- the remaining part of something after its life or usefulness is gone骨架; 残骸：
the chapel was stripped to a skeleton of its former self.
这座小教堂剥落得只剩下原先的骨架。
1.3
- the supporting framework, basic structure, or essential part of something框架; 基本结构; 基本部分：
the concrete skeleton of an unfinished building
一栋未竣工大楼的混凝土框架
the skeleton of a report.
报告的大纲。
1.4
- as modifier denoting the essential or minimum number of people, things, or parts necessary for something（某事必需的）最基本（或最少）的人（或物、部件）; 基干; 骨干：
there was only a skeleton staff on duty.
只有一些基干人员在值班。
短语
skeleton in the cupboard （ 〈美〉skeleton in the closet）
- a discreditable or embarrassing fact that someone wishes to keep secret〈美〉不可告人的丑事。
派生词
skeletonize
（亦作-ise）verb词源
late 16th cent.: modern Latin, from Greek, neuter of skeletos 'dried up', from skellein 'dry up'.