skeleton

Universal Words noun 1 the structure of bones that supports the body of a person or an animal; a model of this structure: The human skeleton consists of 206 bones. * a dinosaur skeleton 2 (informal) a very thin person or animal: The disease has reduced her to a skeleton. 3 [C,usually sing.] the main structure that supports a building, etc: Only the concrete skeleton of the factory remained. 4 [C,usually sing.] the basic outline of a plan, piece of writing, etc. to which more details can be added later: Examples were used to flesh out the skeleton of the argument. 5 ~ staff, crew, etc. the smallest number of people, etc. that you need to do sth: There will only be a skeleton staff on duty over the holiday. * We managed to operate a skeleton bus service during the strike. IDIOMS a skeleton in the cupboard (BrE) (also a skeleton in the closet AmE, BrE) (informal) something shocking, embarrassing, etc. that has happened to you or your family in the past that you want to keep secret