skeleton

Everyday

1. The frame of bones that supports and protects the body of a human or an animal. tree →
2. A model or picture of these bones, often used in science lessons or at Halloween. tree →
3. The main frame or structure of something, like a building or a story plan. tree →
4. Skeleton staff / crew: the smallest number of people needed to keep something running. tree →
5. A skeleton in the cupboard/closet: an embarrassing secret. tree →
6. A skeleton can also mean a person who is extremely thin. tree →

In the lessons

In science the skeleton has three jobs: support, protection (skull protects the brain, ribs protect heart and lungs) and movement (with muscles at joints). An adult human has 206 bones; babies have more that later join. Some animals have exoskeletons (outside skeletons) like insects and crabs; vertebrates have a backbone. Phrases: human skeleton, skeleton key, skeleton in the closet, skeleton staff.

Examples

• The skeleton protects our heart and brain. tree →
• An adult human skeleton has 206 bones. tree →
• Insects have a skeleton on the outside called an exoskeleton. tree →
• We saw a dinosaur skeleton at the museum. tree →
• Your skeleton and muscles work together so you can move. tree →
• We made a plan — a skeleton of our story — before writing. tree →
• She dressed up as a skeleton for Halloween. tree →
• Over the holidays the office runs with a skeleton staff. tree →
• Till thy skin shrivels up and thou art a skeleton! tree →

Note

Countable: a skeleton, skeletons. Babies are born with about 300 bones, some of which fuse, giving 206 in adults. «Skeleton in the cupboard» (UK) = «skeleton in the closet» (US).