SIVATHERIUMSiv`a*the"ri*um, n. Etym: [NL., from E. Siva + Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: A genus of very large extinct ruminants found in the Tertiary formation of India. The snout was prolonged in the form of a proboscis. The male had four horns, the posterior pair being large and branched. It was allied to the antelopes, but very much larger than any exsisting species.
SIVERSiv"er, v. i.
Defn: To simmer. [Obs.] Holland.
SIVVENSSiv"vens (, n. (Med.)
Defn: See Sibbens.
SIWINSi"win, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Sewen.
SIX Six, a. Etym: [AS. six, seox, siex; akin to OFries. sex, D. zes, OS. & OHG. sehs, G. sechs, Icel., Sw., & Dan. sex, Goth. saíhs, Lith. szeszi, Russ. sheste, Gael. & Ir. se, W. chwech, L. sex, Gr. shesh, Skr. shash. sq. root304. Cf. Hexagon, Hexameter, Samite, Senary, Sextant, Sice.]
Defn: One more than five; twice three; as, six yards. Six Nations(Ethnol.), a confederation of North American Indians formed by theunion of the Tuscaroras and the Five Nations.— Six points circle. (Geom.) See Nine points circle, under Nine.
SIXSix, n.
1. The number greater by a unit than five; the sum of three and three; six units or objects.
2. A symbol representing six units, as 6, vi., or VI. To be at six and seven or at sixes and sevens, to be in disorder. Bacon. Shak. Swift.
SIXFOLDSix"fold`, a. Etym: [AS. sixfealand.]
Defn: Six times repeated; six times as much or as many.
SIX-FOOTERSix"-foot`er, n.
Defn: One who is six feet tall. [Colloq. U.S.]
SIXPENCESix"pence, n.; pl. Sixpences (.
Defn: An English silver coin of the value of six pennies; half a shilling, or about twelve cents.
SIXPENNYSix"pen`ny, a.
Defn: Of the value of, or costing, sixpence; as, a sixpenny loaf.
SIXSCORESix"score`, a. & n. Etym: [Six + score, n.]
Defn: Six times twenty; one hundred and twenty.
SIX-SHOOTERSix"-shoot`er, n.
Defn: A pistol or other firearm which can be fired six times without reloading especially, a six-chambered revolver. [Colloq. U.S.]
SIXTEENSix"teen`, a. Etym: [AS. sixt, sixt. See Six, and Ten, and cf.Sixty.]
Defn: Six and ten; consisting of six and ten; fifteen and one more.
SIXTEENSix"teen`, n.
1. The number greater by a unit than fifteen; the sum of ten and six; sixteen units or objects.
2. A symbol representing sixteen units, as 16, or xvi.
SIXTEENMOSix*teen"mo, n.; pl. Sixteenmos (.
Defn: See Sextodecimo.
SIXTEENTHSix"teenth`, a. Etym: [From Sixteen: cf. AS. sixteó.]
1. Sixth after the tenth; next in order after the fifteenth.
2. Constituting or being one of sixteen equal parts into which anything is divided. Sixteenth note (Mus.), the sixteenth part of a whole note; a semiquaver.
SIXTEENTHSix"teenth`, n.
1. The quotient of a unit divided by sixteen; one of sixteen equal parts of one whole.
2. The next in order after the fifteenth; the sixth after the tenth.
3. (Mus.)
Defn: An interval comprising two octaves and a second. Moore (Encyc. of Music.)
SIXTHSixth, a. Etym: [From Six: cf. AS. sixta, siexta.]
1. First after the fifth; next in order after the fifth.
2. Constituting or being one of six equal parts into which anything is divided.
SIXTHSixth, n.
1. The quotient of a unit divided by six; one of six equal parts which form a whole.
2. The next in order after the fifth.
3. (Mus.)
Defn: The interval embracing six diatonic degrees of the scale.
SIXTHLYSixth"ly, adv.
Defn: In the sixth place. Bacon.
SIXTIETHSix"ti*eth, a. Etym: [As. sixtiogoedha, sixtigoedha.]
1. Next in order after the fifty-ninth.
2. Constituting or being one one of sixty equal parts into which anything is divided.
SIXTIETHSix"ti*eth, n.
1. The quotient of a unit divided by sixty; one of sixty equal parts forming a whole.
2. The next in order after the fifty-ninth; the tenth after the fiftieth.
SIXTY Six"ty, a. Etym: [AS. siextig; akin to G. sechzig, Goth. saíhs tigjus. See Six, Ten, and cf. Sixteen.]
Defn: Six times ten; fifty-nine and one more; threescore.
SIXTYSix"ty, n.; pl. Sixties (.
1. The sum of six times ten; sixty units or objects.
2. A symbol representing sixty units, as 60, lx., or LX.
SIXTY-FOURTHSix`ty-fourth", a.
Defn: Constituting or being one of sixty-four equal parts into which a thing is divided. Sixty-fourth note (Mus.), the sixty-fourth part of a whole note; a hemi-demi-semiquaver.
SIZABLESiz"a*ble, a.
1. Of considerable size or bulk. "A sizable volume." Bp. Hurd.
2. Being of reasonable or suitable size; as, sizable timber; sizable bulk. Arbuthnot.
SIZARSi"zar, n.
Defn: One of a body of students in the universities of Cambridge (Eng.) and Dublin, who, having passed a certain examination, are exempted from paying college fees and charges. A sizar corresponded to a servitor at Oxford. The sizar paid nothing for food and tuition, and very little for lodging. Macaulay.
Note: They formerly waited on the table at meals; but this is done away with. They were probably so called from being thus employed in distributing the size, or provisions. See 4th Size, 2.
SIZARSHIPSi"zar*ship, n.
Defn: The position or standing of a sizar.
SIZESize, n. Etym: [See Sice, and Sise.]
Defn: Six.
SIZE Size, n. Etym: [OIt. sisa glue used by painters, shortened fr. assisa, fr. assidere, p. p. assiso, to make to sit, to seat, to place, L. assidere to sit down; ad + sidere to sit down, akin to sedere to sit. See Sit, v. i., and cf. Assize, Size bulk.]
1. A thin, weak glue used in various trades, as in painting, bookbinding, paper making, etc.
2. Any viscous substance, as gilder's varnish.
SIZESize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sized; p. pr. & vb. n. Sizing.]
Defn: To cover with size; to prepare with size.
SIZESize, n. Etym: [Abbrev. from assize. See Assize, and cf. Size glue.]
1. A settled quantity or allowance. See Assize. [Obs.] "To scant my sizes." Shak.
2. (Univ. of Cambridge, Eng.)
Defn: An allowance of food and drink from the buttery, aside from the regular dinner at commons; — corresponding to battel at Oxford.
3. Extent of superficies or volume; bulk; bigness; magnitude; as, the size of a tree or of a mast; the size of a ship or of a rock.
4. Figurative bulk; condition as to rank, ability, character, etc.; as, the office demands a man of larger size. Men of a less size and quality. L'Estrange. The middling or lower size of people. Swift.
5. A conventional relative measure of dimension, as for shoes, gloves, and other articles made up for sale.
6. An instrument consisting of a number of perforated gauges fastened together at one end by a rivet, — used for ascertaining the size of pearls. Knight. Size roll, a small piese of parchment added to a roll. — Size stick, a measuring stick used by shoemakers for ascertaining the size of the foot.
Syn.— Dimension; bigness; largeness; greatness; magnitude.
SIZESize, v. t.
1. To fix the standard of. "To size weights and measures." [R.] Bacon.
2. To adjust or arrange according to size or bulk. Specifically: (a) (Mil.) To take the height of men, in order to place them in the ranks according to their stature. (b) (Mining) To sift, as pieces of ore or metal, in order to separate the finer from the coarser parts.
3. To swell; to increase the bulk of. Beau. & Fl.
4. (Mech.)
Defn: To bring or adjust anything exactly to a required dimension, as by cutting. To size up, to estimate or ascertain the character and ability of. See 4th Size, 4. [Slang, U.S.] We had to size up our fellow legislators. The Century.
SIZESize, v. i.
1. To take greater size; to increase in size. Our desires give them fashion, and so, As they wax lesser, fall, as they size, grow. Donne.
2. (Univ. of Cambridge, Eng.)
Defn: To order food or drink from the buttery; hence, to enter a score, as upon the buttery book.
SIZEDSized, a.
1. Adjusted according to size.
2. Having a particular size or magnitude; — chiefly used in compounds; as, large-sized; common-sized.
SIZELSi"zel, n.
Defn: Same as Scissel, 2.
SIZERSiz"er, n.
1. See Sizar.
2. (Mech.) (a) An instrument or contrivance to size articles, or to determine their size by a standard, or to separate and distribute them according to size. (b) An instrument or tool for bringing anything to an exact size.
SIZINESSSiz"i*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being sizy; viscousness.
SIZINGSiz"ing, n.
1. Act of covering or treating with size.
2. A weak glue used in various trades; size.
SIZINGSiz"ing, n.
1. The act of sorting with respect to size.
2. The act of bringing anything to a certain size.
3. (Univ. of Cambridge, Eng.)
Defn: Food and drink ordered from the buttery by a student.
SIZYSiz"y, a. Etym: [From 2d Size.]
Defn: Sizelike; viscous; glutinous; as, sizy blood. Arbuthnot.
SIZZLESiz"zle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sizzled; p. pr. & vb. n. Sizzling.]Etym: [See Siss.]
Defn: To make a hissing sound; to fry, or to dry and shrivel up, with a hissing sound. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.] Forby.
SIZZLESiz"zle, n.
Defn: A hissing sound, as of something frying over a fire. [Prov.Eng. & Colloq. U. S.]
SIZZLINGSiz"zling, a. & n.
Defn: from Sizzle.
SKADDLESkad"dle, n. Etym: [Dim. of scath.]
Defn: Hurt; damage. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Ray.
SKADDLESkad"dle, a.
Defn: Hurtful. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Ray.
SKADDONSkad"don, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The larva of a bee. [Prov. Eng.]
SKAGSkag, n. (Naut.)
Defn: An additional piece fastened to the keel of a boat to prevent lateral motion. See Skeg.
SKAINSkain, n.
Defn: See Skein. [Obs.]
SKAINSkain, n.
Defn: See Skean. Drayton.
SKAINSMATESkains"mate`, n. Etym: [Perhaps originally, a companion in windingthread (see Skein), or a companion in arms, from skain a sword (seeSkean).]
Defn: A messmate; a companion. [Obs.] Scurvy knave! I am none of his firt-gills; I am none of his skainsmates. Shak.
SKAITHSkaith, n.
Defn: See Scatch. [Scot.]
SKALDSkald, n.
Defn: See 5th Scald.
SKALDICSkald"ic, a.
Defn: See Scaldic. Max Müller.
SKALLSkall, v. t.
Defn: To scale; to mount. [Obs.]
SKAR; SKARESkar, Skare, a. Etym: [From the root of scare.]
Defn: Wild; timid; shy. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
SKARTSkart, n. Etym: [Cf. Scarf a cormorant.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The shag. [Prov. Eng.]
SKATSkat (skät), n. [G., fr. It. scartare to discard.]
1. A three-handed card game played with 32 cards, of which two constitute the skat (sense 2), or widow. The players bid for the privilege of attempting any of several games or tasks, in most of which the player undertaking the game must take tricks counting in aggregate at least 61 (the counting cards being ace 11, ten 10, king 4, queen 3, jack 2). The four jacks are the best trumps, ranking club, spade, heart, diamond, and ten outranks king or queen (but when the player undertakes to lose all the tricks, the cards rank as in whist). The value of hands depends upon the game played, trump suit, points taken, and number of matadores.
2. (Skat) A widow of two cards.
SKATESkate, n. Etym: [D. schaats. Cf. Scatches.]
Defn: A metallic runner with a frame shaped to fit the sole of a shoe, — made to be fastened under the foot, and used for moving rapidly on ice. Batavia rushes forth; and as they sweep, On sounding skates, a thousand different ways, In circling poise, swift as the winds, along, The then gay land is maddended all to joy. Thomson. Roller skate. See under Roller.
SKATESkate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Skated; p. pr. & vb. n. Skating.]
Defn: To move on skates.
SKATESkate, n. Etym: [Icel. skata; cf. Prov. G. schatten, meer-schatten,L. squatus, squatina, and E. shad.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of large, flat elasmobranch fishes of the genus Raia, having a long, slender tail, terminated by a small caudal fin. The pectoral fins, which are large and broad and united to the sides of the body and head, give a somewhat rhombic form to these fishes. The skin is more or less spinose.
Note: Some of the species are used for food, as the European blue or gray skate (Raia batis), which sometimes weighs nearly 200 pounds. The American smooth, or barn-door, skate (R. lævis) is also a large species, often becoming three or four feet across. The common spiny skate (R. erinacea) is much smaller. Skate's egg. See Sea purse. — Skate sucker, any marine leech of the genus Pontobdella, parasitic on skates.
SKATERSkat"er, n.
1. One who skates.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of hemipterous insects belonging to Gerris, Pyrrhocoris, Prostemma, and allied genera. They have long legs, and run rapidly over the surface of the water, as if skating.
SKATOLSka"tol, n. Etym: [Gr. -ol.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A constituent of human fæces formed in the small intestines as a product of the putrefaction of albuminous matter. It is also found in reduced indigo. Chemically it is methyl indol, C9H9N.
SKAYLESSkayles, n.
Defn: [sq. root159.] Skittles. [Obs.]
SKEAN Skean, n. Etym: [Ir sgian; akin to Gael. sgian, W. ysgien a large knife, a scimiter.]
Defn: A knife or short dagger, esp. that in use among the Highlanders of Scotland. [Variously spelt.] "His skean, or pistol." Spenser.
SKEDADDLESke*dad"dle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Skedaddled; p. pr. & vb. n.Skedaddling.] Etym: [Of uncertain etymology.]
Defn: To betake one's self to flight, as if in a panic; to flee; to run away. [Slang, U. S.]
SKEESkee, n. Etym: [Dan. ski; Icel. ski a billet of wood. See Skid.]
Defn: A long strip of wood, curved upwards in front, used on the foot for sliding.
SKEEDSkeed, n.
Defn: See Skid.
SKEELSkeel, n. Etym: [Icel. skj a pail, bucket.]
Defn: A shallow wooden vessel for holding milk or cream. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Grose.
SKEELDUCK; SKEELGOOSESkeel"duck`, Skeel"goose`, n. Etym: [See Sheldrake.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The common European sheldrake. [Prov. Eng.]
SKEETSkeet, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Naut.)
Defn: A scoop with a long handle, used to wash the sides of a vessel, and formerly to wet the sails or deck.
SKEGSkeg, n. Etym: [Prov. E., also a stump of a branch, a wooden peg; cf.Icel. sk a wood, Sw. skog. Cf. Shaw.]
1. A sort of wild plum. [Obs.] Holland.
2. pl.
Defn: A kind of oats. Farm. Encyc.
3. (Naut.)
Defn: The after part of the keel of a vessel, to which the rudder is attached.
SKEGGERSkeg"ger, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The parr. Walton.
SKEINSkein, n. Etym: [OE. skeyne, OF. escaigne, F. écagne, probably ofCeltic origin; cf. Ir. sgainne, Gael. sgeinnidh thread, small twine;or perhaps the English word is immediately from Celtic.]
1. A quantity of yarn, thread, or the like, put up together, after it is taken from the reel, — usually tied in a sort of knot.
Note: A skein of cotton yarn is formed by eighty turns of the thread round a fifty-four inch reel.
2. (Wagon Making)
Defn: A metallic strengthening band or thimble on the wooden arm of an axle. Knight.
SKEINSkein, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A flight of wild fowl (wild geese or the like). [Prov. Eng.]
SKEINESkeine, n.
Defn: See Skean.
SKELDERSkel"der, v. t. & i. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]
Defn: To deceive; to cheat; to trick. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
SKELDERSkel"der, n.
Defn: A vagrant; a cheat. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
SKELDRAKE; SKIELDRAKE Skel"drake`, or Skiel"drake`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The common European sheldrake. (b) The oyster catcher.
SKELETSkel"et, n.
Defn: A skeleton. See Scelet.
SKELETALSkel"e*tal, a.
Defn: Pertaining to the skeleton.
SKELETOGENOUSSkel`e*tog"e*nous, a. Etym: [Skeleton + -genous.]
Defn: Forming or producing parts of the skeleton.
SKELETOLOGYSkel`e*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Skeleton + -logy.]
Defn: That part of anatomy which treats of the skeleton; also, a treatise on the skeleton.
SKELETONSkel"e*ton, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
1. (Anat.) (a) The bony and cartilaginous framework which supports the soft parts of a vertebrate animal.
Note: [See Illust. of the Human Skeleton, in Appendix.] (b) The more or less firm or hardened framework of an invertebrate animal.
Note: In a wider sense, the skeleton includes the whole connective- tissue framework with the integument and its appendages. See Endoskeleton, and Exoskeleton.
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. The great skeleton of the world. Sir M. Hale.
(c) The heads and outline of a literary production, especially of a sermon.
SKELETONSkel"e*ton, a.
Defn: 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. 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 (Zoöl.), a small crustacean of the genus Caprella. See Illust. under Læmodipoda.
SKELETONIZESkel"e*ton*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Skeletonized; p. pr. & vb. n.Skeletonizing.]
Defn: To prepare a skeleton of; also, to reduce, as a leaf, to its skeleton. Pop. Sci. Monthly.
SKELETONIZERSkel"e*ton*i`zer, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any small moth whose larva eats the parenchyma of leaves, leaving the skeleton; as, the apple-leaf skeletonizer.
SKELLUMSkel"lum, n. Etym: [Dan. schelm, fr. G. schelm.]
Defn: A scoundrel. [Obs. or Scot.] Pepys. Burns.
SKELLYSkel"ly, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Dan. skele, Sw. skela.]
Defn: To squint. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
SKELLYSkel"ly, n.
Defn: A squint. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
SKELP Skelp, n. Etym: [Cf. Prov. E. skelp to kick severely, to move rapidly; Gael. sgealp, n., a slap with the palm of the hand, v., to strike with the palm of the hand.]
1. A blow; a smart stroke. [Prov. Eng.] Brockett.
2. A squall; also, a heavy fall of rain. [Scot.]
SKELPSkelp, v. t.
Defn: To strike; to slap. [Scot.] C. Reade.
SKELPSkelp, n.
Defn: A wrought-iron plate from which a gun barrel or pipe is made by bending and welding the edges together, and drawing the thick tube thus formed.
SKELTERSkel"ter, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Helter-skelter.]
Defn: To run off helter-skelter; to hurry; to scurry; — with away or off. [Colloq.] A. R. Wallace.
SKENSken, v. i.
Defn: To squint. [Prov. Eng.]
SKENESkene, n.
Defn: See Skean. C. Kingsley.
SKEP Skep, n. Etym: [Icel. skeppa a measure, bushel; cf. Gael. sgeap a basket, a beehive.]
1. A coarse round farm basket. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Tusser.
2. A beehive. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
SKEPTIC Skep"tic, n. Etym: [Gr. skeptiko`s thoughtful, reflective, fr. ske`ptesqai to look carefully or about, to view, consider: cf. L. scepticus, F. sceptique. See Scope.] [Written also sceptic.]
1. One who is yet undecided as to what is true; one who is looking or inquiring for what is true; an inquirer after facts or reasons.
2. (Metaph.)
Defn: A doubter as to whether any fact or truth can be certainly known; a universal doubter; a Pyrrhonist; hence, in modern usage, occasionally, a person who questions whether any truth or fact can be established on philosophical grounds; sometimes, a critical inquirer, in opposition to a dogmatist. All this criticism [of Hume] proceeds upon the erroneous hypothesis that he was a dogmatist. He was a skeptic; that is, he accepted the principles asserted by the prevailing dogmatism: and only showed that such and such conclusions were, on these principles, inevitable. Sir W. Hamilton.
3. (Theol.)
Defn: A person who doubts the existence and perfections of God, orthe truth of revelation; one who disbelieves the divine origin of theChristian religion.Suffer not your faith to be shaken by the sophistries of skeptics. S.Clarke.
Note: This word and its derivatives are often written with c instead of k in the first syllable, — sceptic, sceptical, scepticism, etc. Dr. Johnson, struck with the extraordinary irregularity of giving c its hard sound before e, altered the spelling, and his example has been followed by most of the lexicographers who have succeeded him; yet the prevalent practice among English writers and printers is in favor of the other mode. In the United States this practice is reversed, a large and increasing majority of educated persons preferring the orthography which is most in accordance with etymology and analogy.
Syn.— Infidel; unbeliever; doubter.— See Infidel.
SKEPTIC; SKEPTICALSkep"tic, Skep"tic*al, a. Etym: [Written also sceptic, sceptical.]
1. Of or pertaining to a sceptic or skepticism; characterized by skepticism; hesitating to admit the certainly of doctrines or principles; doubting of everything.
2. (Theol.)
Defn: Doubting or denying the truth of revelation, or the sacredScriptures.The skeptical system subverts the whole foundation of morals. R.Hall.— Skep"tac*al*ly, adv.— Skep"tic*al*ness, n.
SKEPTICISM Skep"ti*cism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. scepticisme.] [Written also scepticism.]
1. An undecided, inquiring state of mind; doubt; uncertainty. That momentary amazement, and irresolution, and confusion, which is the result of skepticism. Hune.
2. (Metaph.)
Defn: The doctrine that no fact or principle can be certainly known; the tenet that all knowledge is uncertain; Pyrrohonism; universal doubt; the position that no fact or truth, however worthy of confidence, can be established on philosophical grounds; critical investigation or inquiry, as opposed to the positive assumption or assertion of certain principles.
3. (Theol.)
Defn: A doubting of the truth of revelation, or a denial of the divine origin of the Christian religion, or of the being, perfections, or truth of God. Let no . . . secret skepticism lead any one to doubt whether this blessed prospect will be realized. S. Miller.
SKEPTICIZESkep"ti*cize, v. i.
Defn: To doubt; to pretend to doubt of everything. [R.]To skepticize, where no one else will . . . hesitate. Shaftesbury.
SKERRYSker"ry, n.; pl. Skerries. Etym: [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. sker,Sw. skär, Dan. ski. Cf. Scar a bank.]
Defn: A rocky isle; an insulated rock. [Scot.]
SKETCH Sketch, n. Etym: [D. schets, fr. It. schizzo a sketch, a splash (whence also F. esquisse; cf. Esquisse.); cf. It. schizzare to splash, to sketch.]
Defn: An outline or general delineation of anything; a first rough or incomplete draught or plan of any design; especially, in the fine arts, such a representation of an object or scene as serves the artist's purpose by recording its chief features; also, a preliminary study for an original work.
Syn. — Outline; delineation; draught; plan; design. — Sketch, Outline, Delineation. An outline gives only the bounding lines of some scene or picture. A sketch fills up the outline in part, giving broad touches, by which an imperfect idea may be conveyed. A delineation goes further, carrying out the more striking features of the picture, and going so much into detail as to furnish a clear conception of the whole. Figuratively, we may speak of the outlines of a plan, of a work, of a project, etc., which serve as a basis on which the subordinate parts are formed, or of sketches of countries, characters, manners, etc., which give us a general idea of the things described. Crabb.
SKETCHSketch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sketched; p. pr. & vb. n. Sketching.]Etym: [Cf D. schetsen, It. schizzare. See Sketch, n.]
1. To draw the outline or chief features of; to make a rought of.
2. To plan or describe by giving the principal points or ideas of.
Syn.— To delineate; design; draught; depict.
SKETCHSketch, v. i.
Defn: To make sketches, as of landscapes.
SKETCHBOOKSketch"book`, n.
Defn: A book of sketches or for sketches.
SKETCHERSketch"er, n.
Defn: One who sketches.
SKETCHILYSketch"i*ly, adv.
Defn: In a sketchy or incomplete manner. "Sketchily descriptive."Bartlett.
SKETCHINESSSketch"i*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being sketchy; lack of finish; incompleteness.
SKETCHYSketch"y, a.
Defn: Containing only an outline or rough form; being in the mannerof a sketch; incomplete.The execution is sketchy throughout; the head, in particular, is leftin the rough. J. S. Harford.
SKEW Skew, adv. Etym: [Cf. D. scheef. Dan. ski, Sw. skef, Icel. skeifr, G. schief, also E. shy, a. & v. i.]
Defn: Awry; obliquely; askew.
SKEWSkew, a.
Defn: Turned or twisted to one side; situated obliquely; skewed; — chiefly used in technical phrases. Skew arch, an oblique arch. See under Oblique. — Skew back. (Civil Engin.) (a) The course of masonry, the stone, or the iron plate, having an inclined face, which forms the abutment for the voussoirs of a segmental arch. (b) A plate, cap, or shoe, having an inclined face to receive the nut of a diagonal brace, rod, or the end of an inclined strut, in a truss or frame. — Skew bridge. See under Bridge, n. — Skew curve (Geom.), a curve of double curvature, or a twisted curve. See Plane curve, under Curve. — Skew gearing, or Skew bevel gearing (Mach.), toothed gearing, generally resembling bevel gearing, for connecting two shafts that are neither parallel nor intersecting, and in which the teeth slant across the faces of the gears. — Skew surface (Geom.), a ruled surface such that in general two successive generating straight lines do not intersect; a warped surface; as, the helicoid is a skew surface. — Skew symmetrical determinant (Alg.), a determinant in which the elements in each column of the matrix are equal to the elements of the corresponding row of the matrix with the signs changed, as in (1), below. (1) 0 2 -3-2 0 53 -5 0 (2) 4 -1 71 8 -2-7 2 1
Note: This requires that the numbers in the diagonal from the upper left to lower right corner be zeros. A like determinant in which the numbers in the diagonal are not zeros is a skew determinant, as in (2), above.
SKEWSkew, n. (Arch.)
Defn: A stone at the foot of the slope of a gable, the offset of a buttress, or the like, cut with a sloping surface and with a check to receive the coping stones and retain them in place.
SKEWSkew, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Skewed; p. pr. & vb. n. Skewing.]
1. To walk obliquely; to go sidling; to lie or move obliquely. Child, you must walk straight, without skewing. L'Estrange.
2. To start aside; to shy, as a horse. [Prov. Eng.]
3. To look obliquely; to squint; hence, to look slightingly or suspiciously. Beau & Fl.
SKEWSkew, v. t. Etym: [See Skew, adv.]
1. To shape or form in an oblique way; to cause to take an oblique position.
2. To throw or hurl obliquely.
SKEWBALDSkew"bald`, a.
Defn: Marked with spots and patches of white and some color other than black; — usually distinguished from piebald, in which the colors are properly white and black. Said of horses.
SKEWER Skew"er, n. Etym: [Probably of Scand, origin; cf. Sw. & Dan. skifer a slate. Cf. Shuver a fragment.]
Defn: A pin of wood or metal for fastening meat to a spit, or for keeping it in form while roasting. Meat well stuck with skewers to make it look round. Swift.
SKEWERSkew"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Skewered; p. pr. & vb. n. Skewering.]
Defn: To fasten with skewers.
SKISki, n.
Defn: Same as Skee.
SKIAGRAPH; SKIAGRAPHYSki"a*graph, n. Ski*ag"ra*phy, n., etc.
Defn: See Sciagraph, Sciagraphy, etc.
SKIASCOPE; SCIASCOPESki"a*scope, Sci"a*scope, n. [Gr. a shadow + -scope.] (Med.)
Defn: A device for determining the refractive state of the eye by observing the movements of the retinal lights and shadows. — Ski*as"co*py (#), Ski*as"co*py (#), n.
SKID Skid, n. Etym: [Icel. ski a billet of wood. See Shide.] [Written also skeed.]
1. A shoe or clog, as of iron, attached to a chain, and placed under the wheel of a wagon to prevent its turning when descending a steep hill; a drag; a skidpan; also, by extension, a hook attached to a chain, and used for the same purpose.
2. A piece of timber used as a support, or to receive pressure. Specifically: (a) pl. (Naut.)
Defn: Large fenders hung over a vessel's side to protect it in handling a cargo. Totten. (b) One of a pair of timbers or bars, usually arranged so as to form an inclined plane, as form a wagon to a door, along which anything is moved by sliding or rolling. (c) One of a pair of horizontal rails or timbers for supporting anything, as a boat, a barrel, etc.
SKIDSkid, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Skidded; p. pr. & vb. n. Skidding.]
1. To protect or support with a skid or skids; also, to cause to move on skids.
2. To check with a skid, as wagon wheels. Dickens.
SKIDDAWSkid"daw`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The black guillemot. [Prov. Eng.]
SKIDDERSkid"der, n. One that skids; one that uses a skid; specif.: (Logging)(a) One that skids logs.(b) An engine for hauling the cable used in skidding logs.(c) The foreman of a construction gang making a skid road.
SKIDPANSkid"pan`, n.
Defn: See Skid, n., 1. [Eng.]
SKID ROAD Skid road. (Logging) (a) A road along which logs are dragged to the skidway or landing; - - called also travois, or travoy, road. (b) A road having partly sunken transverse logs (called skids) at intervals of about five feet.
SKIEDSkied,
Defn: imp. & p. p. of Sky, v. t.
SKIEYSki"ey, a.
Defn: See Skyey. Shelley.
SKIFFSkiff, n. Etym: [F. esquif, fr. OHG. skif, G. schiff. See Ship.]
Defn: A small, light boat.The pilot of some small night-foundered skiff. Milton.Skiff caterpillar (Zoöl.), the larva of a moth (Limacodes scapha); —so called from its peculiar shape.
SKIFFSkiff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Skiffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Skiffing.]
Defn: To navigate in a skiff. [R.]
SKIFFLINGSkif"fling, n. (Quarrying)
Defn: Rough dressing by knocking off knobs or projections; knobbing.
SKILDERSkil"der, v. i.
Defn: To beg; to pilfer; to skelder. [Prov. Eng.& Scot.] Sir W.Scott.
SKILFULSkil"ful, a.
Defn: See Skilful.
SKILL Skill, n. Etym: [Icel. skil a distinction, discernment; akin to skilja to separate, divide, distinguish, Sw. skilja,. skille to separate, skiel reason, right, justice, Sw. skäl reason, Lith. skelli to cleave. Cf. Shell, Shoal, a multitude.]
1. Discrimination; judgment; propriety; reason; cause. [Obs.] Shak."As it was skill and right." Chaucer.For great skill is, he prove that he wrought. Chaucer.[For with good reason he should test what he created.]
2. Knowledge; understanding. [Obsoles.] That by his fellowship he color mightskill of any wight. Spenser. Nor want we skill or art. Milton.
3. The familiar knowledge of any art or science, united with readiness and dexterity in execution or performance, or in the application of the art or science to practical purposes; power to discern and execute; ability to perceive and perform; expertness; aptitude; as, the skill of a mathematician, physician, surgeon, mechanic, etc. Phocion, . . . by his great wisdom and skill at negotiations, diverted Alexander from the conquest of Athens. Swift. Where patience her sweet skill imparts. Keble.
4. Display of art; exercise of ability; contrivance; address. [Obs.] Richard . . . by a thousand princely skills, gathering so much corn as if he meant not to return. Fuller.
5. Any particular art. [Obs.] Learned in one skill, and in another kind of learning unskillful. Hooker.
Syn. — Dexterity; adroitness; expertness; art; aptitude; ability. — Skill, Dexterity, Adroitness. Skill is more intelligent, denoting familiar knowledge united to readiness of performance. Dexterity, when applied to the body, is more mechanical, and refers to habitual ease of execution. Adroitness involves the same image with dexterity, and differs from it as implaying a general facility of movement (especially in avoidance of danger or in escaping from a difficalty). The same distinctions apply to the figurative sense of the words. A man is skillful in any employment when he understands both its theory and its practice. He is dexterous when he maneuvers with great lightness. He is adroit in the use od quick, sudden, and well- directed movements of the body or the mind, so as to effect the object he has in view.
SKILLSkill, v. t.
Defn: To know; to understand. [Obs.]To skill the arts of expressing our mind. Barrow.
SKILLSkill, v. i.
1. To be knowing; to have understanding; to be dexterous in performance. [Obs.] I can not skill of these thy ways. Herbert.
2. To make a difference; to signify; to matter; — used impersonally.Spenser.What skills it, if a bag of stones or gold About thy neck do drownthee Herbert.It skills not talking of it. Sir W. Scott.
SKILLEDSkilled, a.
Defn: Having familiar knowledge united with readiness and dexterity in its application; familiarly acquainted with; expert; skillful; — often followed by in; as, a person skilled in drawing or geometry.
SKILLET Skil"let, n. Etym: [OF. escuelette, dim. of escuelle a porringer, F. ecuelle, fr. L. scutella, dim. of scutra, scuta, a dish. Cf. Scuttle a basket.]
Defn: A small vessel of iron, copper, or other metal, with a handle, used for culinary purpose, as for stewing meat.
SKILLFULSkill"ful, a. Etym: [Written also skilful.]
1. Discerning; reasonable; judicious; cunning. [Obs.] "Of skillful judgment." Chaucer.
2. Possessed of, or displaying, skill; knowing and ready; expert; well-versed; able in management; as, a skillful mechanic; — often followed by at, in, or of; as, skillful at the organ; skillful in drawing. And they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skillful of lamentations to wailing. Amos v. 16.
Syn.— Expert; skilled; dexterous; adept; masterly; adroit; clever;cunning.— Skill"ful*ly, adv.— Skill"ful*ness, n.
SKILLIGALEESkil`li*ga*lee", n.
Defn: A kind of thin, weak broth or oatmeal porridge, served out to prisoners and paupers in England; also, a drink made of oatmeal, sugar, and water, sometimes used in the English navy or army. [Written also skilligolee, skillygalee, etc.]
SKILLINGSkil"ling, n. Etym: [Cf. Sheeling.]
Defn: A bay of a barn; also, a slight addition to a cottage. [Prov.Eng.]
SKILLINGSkil"ling, n. Etym: [Sw. & Dan. See Shilling.]
Defn: A money od account in Sweden, Norwey, Denmark, and North Germany, and also a coin. It had various values, from three fourths of a cent in Norway to more than two cents in Lübeck.
SKILL-LESSSkill"-less, a.
Defn: Wanting skill. Shak.
SKILTSSkilts, n. pl.
Defn: A kind of large, coarse, short trousers formerly worn. [Local,U. S.] Bartlett.
SKILTYSkil"ty, n.
Defn: The water rail. [Prov. Eng.]
SKIMSkim, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Skimmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Skimming.] Etym:[Cf. Sw. skymma to darken. sq. root158. See Scum.]
1. To clear (a liquid) from scum or substance floating or lying thereon, by means of a utensil that passes just beneath the surface; as, to skim milk; to skim broth.
2. To take off by skimming; as, to skim cream.
3. To pass near the surface of; to brush the surface of; to glide swiftly along the surface of. Homer describes Mercury as flinging himself from the top of Olympus, and skimming the surface of the ocean. Hazlitt.
4. Fig.: To read or examine superficially and rapidly, in order to cull the principal facts or thoughts; as, to skim a book or a newspaper.
SKIMSkim, v. i.
1. To pass lightly; to glide along in an even, smooth course; to glide along near the surface. Not so when swift Camilla scours the plain, Flies o'er the unbending corn, and skims along the main. Pope.
2. To hasten along with superficial attention. They skim over a science in a very superficial survey. I. Watts.
3. To put on the finishing coat of plaster.
SKIMSkim, a.
Defn: Contraction of Skimming and Skimmed. Skim coat, the final orfinishing coat of plaster.— Skim colter, a colter for paring off the surface of land.— Skim milk, skimmed milk; milk from which the cream has beentaken.
SKIMSkim, n.
Defn: Scum; refuse. Bryskett.
SKIMBACKSkim"back`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The quillback. [Local, U.S.]
SKIMBLE-SCAMBLESkim"ble-scam`ble, a. Etym: [A reduplication of scamble.]
Defn: Rambling; disorderly; unconnected. [Colloq.]Such a deal of skimble-scamble stuff. Shak.
SKIMITRYSkim"i*try, n.
Defn: See Skimmington.
SKIMMERSkim"mer, n.
1. One who, or that which, skims; esp., a utensil with which liquids are skimmed.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any species of longwinged marine birds of the genus Rhynchops, allied to the terns, but having the lower mandible compressed and much longer than the upper one. These birds fly rapidly along the surface of the water, with the lower mandible immersed, thus skimming out small fishes. The American species (R. nigra) is common on the southern coasts of the United States. Called also scissorbill, and shearbill.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several large bivalve shells, sometimes used for skimming milk, as the sea clams, and large scallops.
SKIMMERTONSkim"mer*ton, n.
Defn: See Skimmington.
SKIMMINGSkim"ming, n.
1. The act of one who skims.
2. That which is skimmed from the surface of a liquid; — chiefly used in the plural; as, the skimmings of broth.
SKIMMINGLYSkim"ming*ly, adv.
Defn: In a skimming manner.
SKIMMINGTON Skim"ming*ton, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain. Perhaps the name of some notorius scold.]
Defn: A word employed in the phrase, To ride Skimmington; that is to ride on a horse with a woman, but behind her, facing backward, carrying a distaff, and accompanied by a procession of jeering neighbors making mock music; a cavalcade in ridicule of a henpecked man. The custom was in vogue in parts of England.
SKIMPSkimp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Skimped; p. pr. & vb. n. Skimping.] Etym:[Cf. Skinch, Scamp, v. t.]
1. To slight; to do carelessly; to scamp. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.]
2. To make insufficient allowance for; to scant; to scrimp. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.]
SKIMPSkimp, v. i.
Defn: To save; to be parsimonious or niggardly. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq.U.S.]
SKIMPSkimp, a.
Defn: Scanty. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.]
SKIN Skin, n. Etym: [Icel. skinn; akin to Sw. skinn, Dan. skind, AS. scinn, G. schined to skin.]
1. (Anat.)
Defn: The external membranous integument of an animal.
Note: In man, and the vertebrates generally, the skin consist of two layers, an outer nonsensitive and nonvascular epidermis, cuticle, or skarfskin, composed of cells which are constantly growing and multiplying in the deeper, and being thrown off in the superficial, layers; and an inner sensitive, and vascular dermis, cutis, corium, or true skin, composed mostly of connective tissue.
2. The hide of an animal, separated from the body, whether green, dry, or tanned; especially, that of a small animal, as a calf, sheep, or goat.
3. A vessel made of skin, used for holding liquids. See Bottle, 1. "Skins of wine." Tennyson.
4. The bark or husk of a plant or fruit; the exterior coat of fruits and plants.
5. (Naut.) (a) That part of a sail, when furled, which remains on the outside and covers the whole. Totten. (b) The covering, as of planking or iron plates, outside the framing, forming the sides and bottom of a vessel; the shell; also, a lining inside the framing. Skin friction, Skin resistance (Naut.), the friction, or resistance, caused by the tendency of water to adhere to the immersed surface (skin) of a vessel. — Skin graft (Surg.), a small portion of skin used in the process of grafting. See Graft, v. t., 2. — Skin moth (Zoöl.), any insect which destroys the prepared skins of animals, especially the larva of Dermestes and Anthrenus. — Skin of the teeth, nothing, or next to nothing; the least possible hold or advantage. Job xix. 20. — Skin wool, wool taken from dead sheep.
SKINSkin, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Skinned; p. pr. & vb. n. Skinning.]
1. To strip off the skin or hide of; to flay; to peel; as, to skin an animal.
2. To cover with skin, or as with skin; hence, to cover superficially. It will but skin and film the ulcerous place. Shak.
3. To strip of money or property; to cheat. [Slang]
SKINSkin, v. i.
1. To become covered with skin; as, a wound skins over.
2. To produce, in recitation, examination, etc., the work of another for one's own, or to use in such exercise cribs, memeoranda, etc., which are prohibited. [College Cant, U.S.]
SKINBOUNDSkin"bound`, a.
Defn: Having the skin adhering closely and rigidly to the flesh; hidebound. Skinbound disease. (Med.) See Sclerema neonatorum, under Sclerema.
SKINCHSkinch, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Skinched; p. pr. & vb. n.Skinching.] Etym: [Cf. Scant.]
Defn: To give scant measure; to squeeze or pinch in order to effect a saving. [Prev. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.]
SKIN-DEEPSkin"-deep`, a.
Defn: Not deeper than the skin; hence, superficial. Lowell.
SKINFLINTSkin"flint`, n. Etym: [Skin + flint.]
Defn: A penurious person; a miser; a niggard. Sir W. Scott.
SKINFULSkin"ful, n.; pl. Skinfuls (.
Defn: As much as a skin can hold.
SKINKSkink, n. Etym: [L. scincus, Gr. [Written also scink.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of regularly scaled harmless lizards of the family Scincidæ, common in the warmer parts of all the continents.
Note: The officinal skink (Scincus officinalis) inhabits the sandy plains of South Africa. It was believed by the ancients to be a specific for various diseases. A common slender species (Seps tridactylus) of Southern Europe was formerly believed to produce fatal diseases in cattle by mere contact. The American skinks include numerous species of the genus Eumeces, as the blue-tailed skink (E. fasciatus) of the Eastern United States. The ground skink, or ground lizard (Oligosoma laterale) inhabits the Southern United States.
SKINK Skink, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Skinked; p. pr. & vb. n. Skinking.] Etym: [Icel. skenja; akin to Sw. skäka, Dan. skienke, AS. scencan, D. & G. schenken. As. scencan is usually derived from sceonc, sceanc, shank, a hollow bone being supposed to have been used to draw off liquor from a cask. sq. root161. See Shank, and cf. Nunchion.]
Defn: To draw or serve, as drink. [Obs.]Bacchus the wine them skinketh all about. Chaucer.Such wine as Ganymede doth skink to Jove. Shirley.
SKINKSkink, v. i.
Defn: To serve or draw liquor. [Obs.]
SKINKSkink, n.
Defn: Drink; also, pottage. [Obs.] Bacon.
SKINKERSkink"er, n.
Defn: One who serves liquor; a tapster.
SKINLESSSkin"less, a.
Defn: Having no skin, or a very thin skin; as, skinless fruit.
SKINNERSkin"ner, n.
1. One who skins.
2. One who deals in skins, pelts, or hides.
SKINNINESSSkin"ni*ness, n.
Defn: Quality of being skinny.
SKINNYSkin"ny, a.
Defn: Consisting, or chiefly consisting, of skin; wanting flesh. "Herskinny lips." Shak.He holds him with a skinny hand. Coleridge.
SKIPSkip, n. Etym: [See Skep.]
1. A basket. See Skep. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
2. A basket on wheels, used in cotton factories.
3. (Mining)
Defn: An iron bucket, which slides between guides, for hoisting mineral and rock.
4. (Sugar Manuf.)
Defn: A charge of sirup in the pans.
5. A beehive; a skep.
SKIP Skip, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Skipped; p. pr. & vb. n. Skipping.] Etym: [OE. skippen, of uncertain origin; cf. Icel. skopa run, skoppa to spin like a top, OSw. & dial. Sw. skimmpa to run, skimpa, skompa, to hop, skip; or Ir. sgiob to snatch, Gael. sgiab to start or move suddenly, to snatch, W. ysgipio to snatch.]
1. To leap lightly; to move in leaps and hounds; — commonly implying a sportive spirit. The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day, Had he thy reason, would he skip and play Pope. So she drew her mother away skipping, dancing, and frisking fantastically. Hawthorne.
2. Fig.: To leave matters unnoticed, as in reading, speaking, or writing; to pass by, or overlook, portions of a thing; — often followed by over.
SKIPSkip, v. t.
1. To leap lightly over; as, to skip the rope.
2. To pass over or by without notice; to omit; to miss; as, to skip a line in reading; to skip a lesson. They who have a mind to see the issue may skip these two chapters. Bp. Burnet.
3. To cause to skip; as, to skip a stone. [Colloq.]
SKIPSkip, n.
1. A light leap or bound.
2. The act of passing over an interval from one thing to another; an omission of a part.
3. (Mus.)
Defn: A passage from one sound to another by more than a degree at once. Busby. Skip kennel, a lackey; a footboy. [Slang.] Swift. — Skip mackerel. (Zoöl.) See Bluefish, 1.
SKIPJACKSkip"jack`, n.
1. An upstart. [Obs.] Ford.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An elater; a snap bug, or snapping beetle.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A name given to several kinds of a fish, as the common bluefish, the alewife, the bonito, the butterfish, the cutlass fish, the jurel, the leather jacket, the runner, the saurel, the saury, the threadfish, etc.
4. (Naut.)
Defn: A shallow sailboat with a rectilinear or V-shaped cross section.
SKIPPERSkip"per, n.
1. One who, or that which, skips.
2. A young, thoughtless person. Shak.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The saury (Scomberesox saurus).
4. The cheese maggot. See Cheese fly, under Cheese.
5. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of small butterflies of the familyHesperiadæ; — so called from their peculiar short, jerking flight.
SKIPPERSkip"per, n. Etym: [D. schipper. See Shipper, and Ship.]
1. (Naut.)
Defn: The master of a fishing or small trading vessel; hence, the master, or captain, of any vessel.
2. A ship boy. [Obs.] Congreve.
SKIPPETSkip"pet, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. skip, E. skipper. See Ship.]
1. A small boat; a skiff. [Obs.] A little skippet floating did appear. Spenser.
2. A small round box for keeping records. [Obs.]
SKIPPINGLYSkip"ping*ly, adv.
Defn: In a skipping manner; by skips, or light leaps.
SKIRL Skirl, v. t.& i. Etym: [Of Scand. origin, and originally the same word as E. shrill.]
Defn: To utter in a shrill tone; to scream. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
SKIRLSkirl, n.
Defn: A shrill cry or sound. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
SKIRLCOCKSkirl"cock`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The missel thrush; — so called from its harsh alarm note.[Prev. Eng.]
SKIRLCRAKESkirl"crake`, n.
Defn: The turnstone. [Prev. Eng.]
SKIRLINGSkirl"ing, n.
Defn: A shrill cry or sound; a crying shrilly; a skirl. [Prov. Eng. &Scot.] Sir W. Scott.When the skirling of the pipes cleft the air his cold eyes softened.Mrs. J. H. Ewing.
SKIRLINGSkirl"ing, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small trout or salmon; — a name used loosely. [Prov. Eng.]
SKIRMISH Skir"mish, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Skirmished; p. pr. & vb. n. Skirmishing.] Etym: [OE. skirmishen, scarmishen, OF. escremir, eskermir, to fence, fight, F. escrimer, of German origin; cf. OHG. scirmen to protect, defend, G. schirmen, OHG. scirm, scerm, protection, shield, G. schirm; perhaps akin to Gr. Scaramouch, Scrimmage.]
Defn: To fight slightly or in small parties; to engage in a skirmish or skirmishes; to act as skirmishers.
SKIRMISHSkir"mish, n.Etym: [OE. scarmishe, scrymishe. See Skirmish, v. i.]
1. A slight fight in war; a light or desultory combat between detachments from armies, or between detached and small bodies of troops.
2. A slight contest. They never meet but there's a skirmish of wit. Shak.
SKIRMISHERSkir"mish*er, n.
Defn: One who skirmishes. Specifically: pl. (Mil.)
Defn: Soldiers deployed in loose order, to cover the front or flanks of an advancing army or a marching column.
SKIRRSkirr, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Scur, Scurry.]
Defn: To ramble over in order to clear; to scour. [Archaic] Shak.
SKIRRSkirr, v. i.
Defn: To scour; to scud; to run. [Archaic]
SKIRRSkirr, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A tern. [Prov. Eng.]
SKIRRETSkir"ret, n. Etym: [A corrupted form equivalent to sugarwort.] (Bot.)
Defn: An umbelliferous plant (Sium, or Pimpinella, Sisarum). It is a native of Asia, but has been long cultivated in Europe for its edible clustered tuberous roots, which are very sweet.
SKIRRHUSSkir"rhus, n. (Med.)