skeleton

日本語でも、スケルトン、つまりガイコツのことですが、形容詞として名詞を修飾するパターンがあります。

例えば、


skeleton crew(s)
skeleton staff


などです。

この場合、


概要の、概略の


という意味になるのですが、American Heritage Dictionaryの定義にあるように、


Reduced to the basic or minimal parts or members


つまり、最小構成、最小人員で、という意味になります。余計な（？）肉の部分を取っ払って、骨格だけで勝負！ということでしょうか！？

下記の引用は、レーガン元大統領（米国第40代大統領）の逝去の記事からですが、元大統領の亡骸がワシントンの墓地に埋葬される日に各地が喪に服している状況を伝えるものです。


VA Medical Center administrative offices will be closed Friday, but outpatient clinics will remain open. Houston city offices will be open Friday. Harris County offices will be open Friday. Most Fort Bend County Courthouse offices will close at noon Friday. Some, including the district clerk's office, will remain open.

TRANSPORTATION
Metro will operate on a normal schedule Friday. Texas Department of Transportation offices will operate with skeleton crews Friday, but road work contractors will proceed as usual.

SCHOOLS
At the University of Houston, each faculty member will decide whether to have classes. For nonessential personnel, supervisors have discretion. Freshman orientation will take place as planned Friday.
(Houston Chronicle. A FINAL RETURN TO WASHINGTON / Nation pays respects, bids farewell to 40th president. June 14, 2004.)