1. The internal structure composed of bone and cartilage that protects and supports the soft organs, tissues, and other parts of a vertebrate organism; endoskeleton. 2. The hard external supporting and protecting structure in many invertebrates, such as mollusks and crustaceans, and certain vertebrates, such as turtles; exoskeleton. 3. A supporting structure or framework, as of a building. 4. An outline or a sketch. 5. Something reduced to its basic or minimal parts. 6. One that is very thin or emaciated. 7. Of, relating to, or resembling a skeleton. 8. a skeleton crew. 9. Of or relating to a set of incomplete instructions intended to be completed by a specialized program. 10. A source of shame or disgrace, as in a family, that is kept secret.
