n.[C]

1. 骨骼；骸骨
   The ground floor of the museum is taken up by the skeleton of a dinosaur.

   博物馆的底层为一具恐龙的骨骼占据了。

2. 【口】骨瘦如柴的人（或动物）
   He was reduced to a skeleton.

   他瘦得只剩一把骨头了。

3. （房屋等的）骨架；残骸
   He centers his constructions around reinforced concrete or steel skeletons.

   他的建筑主要是以钢筋混凝土或钢为骨架的。

4. 概略，大纲
   She told me about the skeleton of her new novel.

   她把自己一部新小说的梗概对我讲了一遍。

5. 最基本的部分
6. （不可外扬的）丑事

a.[Z][B]

1. 骨骼的；骨瘦如柴的
2. 概略的
   The director set out the plan in skeleton form.

   主任提纲挈领地说明了这一计划。

3. 最基本的；骨干的
   Only a skeleton crew was needed while the ship was tied up in dock.

   在船停泊在船坞期间只需要骨干船员。

n.

1. an internal or external framework of bone, cartilage, or other rigid material supporting or containing the body of an animal or plant.
   ▸a very thin or emaciated person or animal.
2. a supporting framework, basic structure, or essential part.
   ▸ [as modifier] denoting an essential or minimum number of people or things:

   a skeleton staff.