Part 442

Skid, 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.

Skid"daw` (?), n. (Zoöl.) The black guillemot. [Prov. Eng.]

Skid"pan` (?), n. See Skid, n., 1. [Eng.]

Skied (?), imp. & p. p. of Sky, v. t.

Ski"ey (?), a. See Skyey. Shelley.

Skiff (?), n. [F. esquif, fr. OHG. skif, G. schiff. See Ship.] 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.

Skiff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Skiffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Skiffing.] To navigate in a skiff. [R.]

Skif"fling (?), n. (Quarrying) Rough dressing by knocking off knobs or projections; knobbing.

Skil"der (?), v. i. To beg; to pilfer; to skelder. [Prov. Eng.& Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

Skil"ful (?), a. See Skilful.

Skill (?), n. [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.

2. Knowledge; understanding. [Obsoles.]

That by his fellowship he color might Both his estate and love from skill 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.