skeleton
noun uk/ˈskel.ə.tən/ us/ˈskel.ə.t̬ən/
(FRAME OF BONES)
B2 [ C ]骨骼，骨架
the frame of bones supporting a human or animal body
We found an old sheep skeleton up on the cliffs. 我们在悬崖上发现了一副老绵羊的骨架。
figurative Her long illness reduced her to a skeleton (= made her very thin). 长期的疾病使她瘦得只剩皮包骨头了。
- More examples
- The discovery of the dinosaur skeleton has cast light on why they became extinct.
- They used carbon dating tests to authenticate the claim that the skeleton was 2 million years old.
- We went to see the dinosaur skeletons in the Natural History Museum.
- They found a human skeleton under the building's foundations.
- He was so thin that you could see his skeleton through his skin.
(BASIC FORM)
[ C usually singular ]框架;梗概，纲要
the most basic form or structure of something
The skeleton of my book is written/My book is in skeleton form - now I just have to add the details. 我的书已经有了框架——现在我只需要添加细节了。
Idiom
skeleton in the/your closetidiom (UK also skeleton in the/your cupboard) 丑事，隐情
an embarrassing secret
Most families have one or two skeletons in the closet. 大多数家庭都有一两件家丑。