skill

Skill — Skill, n. [Icel. skil a distinction, discernment; akin to skilja to separate, divide, distinguish, Sw. skilja,. skille to separate, skiel reason, right, justice, Sw. sk[ a]l reason, Lith. skelli to cleave. Cf. {Shell}, {Shoal}, a multitude.] 1.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

skill — W1S3 [skıl] n [U and C] [Date: 1100 1200; : Old Norse; Origin: skil good judgment, knowledge ] an ability to do something well, especially because you have learned and practised it →↑talent ▪ Reading and writing are two different skills. ▪ Many… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

skill — [ skıl ] noun *** uncount the ability to do something well, usually as a result of experience and training: Most people trust in the skill and dedication of the nursing staff. skill at/in: The committee needs someone who has some skill in… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

Skill — Skill, v. t. To know; to understand. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] To skill the arts of expressing our mind. Barrow. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Skill — Skill, v. i. 1. To be knowing; to have understanding; to be dexterous in performance. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] I can not skill of these thy ways. Herbert. [1913 Webster] 2. To make a difference; to signify; to matter; used impersonally. Spenser.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

skill — I noun ability, adeptness, adroitness, aptitude, aptness, art, artistry, cleverness, command, competence, craft, cunning, deftness, dexterity, ease, endowment, excellence, experience, expertness, facility, felicity, finesse, fluency, gift,… …   Law dictionary

skill — late 12c., power of discernment, from O.N. skil distinction, discernment, related to skilja (v.) distinguish, separate, from P.Gmc. *skaljo divide, separate (Cf. M.L.G. schillen to differ; M.L.G., M.Du. schele difference; see SHELL (Cf. shell)).… …   Etymology dictionary

skill — *art, cunning, craft, artifice Analogous words: proficiency, adeptness, expertness (see corresponding adjectives at PROFICIENT): efficiency, effectiveness (see corresponding adjectives at EFFECTIVE): *readiness, facility, dexterity, ease …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

skill — [n] ability, talent to do something accomplishment, address, adroitness, aptitude, art, artistry, cleverness, clout, command, competence, craft, cunning, deftness, dexterity, dodge*, ease, experience, expertise, expertism, expertness, facility,… …   New thesaurus

skill — ► NOUN 1) the ability to do something well; expertise or dexterity. 2) a particular ability. ► VERB (usu. as noun skilling) ▪ train (a worker) to do a particular task. ORIGIN Old Norse, discernment, knowledge …   English terms dictionary

skill — [skil] n. [ME, discernment, reason < ON skil, distinction, akin to skilja, to cut apart, separate < IE base * (s)kel , to cut (> SHIELD, SHELL): basic sense “ability to separate,” hence “discernment”] 1. great ability or proficiency;… …   English World dictionary