a. Consisting of, or resembling, a skeleton; consisting merely of the framework or outlines; having only certain leading features of anything; as, a skeleton sermon; a skeleton crystal. [ 1913 Webster ]

Skeleton bill, a bill or draft made out in blank as to the amount or payee, but signed by the acceptor. [ Eng. ] --
Skeleton key, a key with nearly the whole substance of the web filed away, to adapt it to avoid the wards of a lock; a master key; -- used for opening locks to which it has not been especially fitted. --
Skeleton leaf, a leaf from which the pulpy part has been removed by chemical means, the fibrous part alone remaining. --
Skeleton proof, a proof of a print or engraving, with the inscription outlined in hair strokes only, such proofs being taken before the engraving is finished. --
Skeleton regiment, a regiment which has its complement of officers, but in which there are few enlisted men. --
Skeleton shrimp (Zool.), a small crustacean of the genus Caprella. See Illust. under Laemodipoda. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; (sc. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;) a dried body, a mummy, fr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; dried up, parched, &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; to dry, dry up, parch. ] 1. (Anat.) (a) The bony and cartilaginous framework which supports the soft parts of a vertebrate animal. [ See Illust. of the Human Skeleton, in Appendix. ] (b) The more or less firm or hardened framework of an invertebrate animal. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In a wider sense, the skeleton includes the whole connective-tissue framework with the integument and its appendages. See Endoskeleton, and Exoskeleton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, figuratively: (a) A very thin or lean person. (b) The framework of anything; the principal parts that support the rest, but without the appendages. [ 1913 Webster ]

The great skeleton of the world. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

(c) The heads and outline of a literary production, especially of a sermon. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Skeletonized p. pr. & vb. n. Skeletonizing ] To prepare a skeleton of; also, to reduce, as a leaf, to its skeleton. Pop. Sci. Monthly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) Any small moth whose larva eats the parenchyma of leaves, leaving the skeleton; as, the apple-leaf skeletonizer. [ 1913 Webster ]