ˈskeləd. ə l, -lət ə l adjective
Etymology: skelet- + -al
1. : of or relating to a skeleton
skeletal material of the mound builders is abundant in many localities — Thomas Barbour
2. : having the character of a skeleton, framework, or outline : skeleton
a large red and green buoy, with a skeletal body like a derrick — Wirt Williams
no more than a skeletal survey of the life of the university — F.C.James
3. : resembling a skeleton ; especially : emaciated
a nightmare population of gaunt men and skeletal boys — Sydney Alexander
4. of a soil : belonging to the lithosol group and composed chiefly of rock fragments
• skel·e·tal·ly - ə lē, - ə li adverb