Skein, skān, n. a knot or number of knots of thread or yarn. [O. Fr. escagne, from Celt.; cf. Ir. sgainne, a skein.]
Skelder, skel′dėr, v.i. and v.t. to practise begging: to swindle.
Skeleton, skel′e-tun, n. the bones of an animal separated from the flesh and preserved in their natural position: the framework or outline of anything: a very lean and emaciated person: a very thin form of light-faced type.—adj. pertaining to a skeleton—also Skel′etal.—ns. Skeletog′eny (-toj′-); Skeletog′raphy; Skeletol′ogy.—v.t. Skel′etonise, to reduce to a skeleton.—n. Skel′eton-key, a key for picking locks, without the inner bits.—Skeleton in the cupboard, closet, house, &c., some hidden domestic source of sorrow or shame. [Gr. skeleton (sōma), a dried (body)—skeletos, dried—skellein, to dry, to parch.]
Skelloch, skel′oh, v.i. (Scot.) to cry out with a shrill voice.—n. a squeal.
Skellum, skel′um, n. (Scot.) a ne'er-do-well. [Dut. schelm, a rogue.]
Skelly, skel′i, v.i. (Scot.) to squint. [Cf. Dan. skele, Sw. skela, Ger. schielen, to squint.]
Skelp, skelp, v.t. (Scot.) to slap.—v.i. to move briskly along, to bound along.—n. a slap: a heavy fall of pelting rain: a large portion.—adj. Skelp′ing, very big or full. [Gael. sgealp, a slap.]
Skelter, skel′tėr, v.i. to hurry or dash along.
Skep, skep, n. a grain-basket, or beehive made of straw or wicker-work.—n. Skep′ful, as much as a skep will hold. [A.S. scep—Scand., Ice. skeppa.]
Skeptic=Sceptic; Skepsis=Scepsis.