SKATE
Skate, 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.
SKATER
Skat"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.
SKATOL
Ska"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.
SKAYLES
Skayles, n.