In the context provided, when skeletons are used to describe leafless trees, what literary device is being employed?

The use of skeletons to describe leafless trees is an example of metaphor. This literary device involves making a direct comparison between two unlike things to suggest a similarity or shared quality without using "like" or "as." In this case, comparing the bare, branch-like structure of a leafless tree to a skeleton evokes the idea of lifelessness and desolation, enhancing the imagery and emotional impact of the description.

By employing metaphor, the author crafts a vivid image that encourages readers to envision the tree not just as a tree stripped of leaves, but as something resembling a human or animal skeleton, thereby deepening the reader's understanding and emotional response to the scene. Through this comparison, the metaphor invites readers to engage their imagination and connect with the underlying themes of loss or emptiness associated with the imagery.