subs. phr. (common).—An emaciated person or animal; a WALKING SKELETON (q.v.); SHAPES (q.v.). Also (old) BEDFULL OF BONES and BAGFUL OF SKIN AND BONES: Fr. sacdos (i.e., sac à dos).
1621. BURTON, The Anatomy of Melancholy, III. III. i. 1. I have an old grim sire to my husband … a BEDFULL OF BONES.
1809. MALKIN, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], s.v.
1838. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, iv. 64. There, get down stairs, little BAG O’ BONES.
1848. C. KINGSLEY, The Saint’s Tragedy, IV. iii. 204. I am almost ashamed to punish a BAG OF SKIN AND BONES.
1902. LE QUEUX, The Temptress, ii. Drive on, cabby, as fast as you can make that BAG OF BONES travel.
