skill

skill
skill1
/skil/, n.
1. the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well: Carpentry was one of his many skills.
2. competent excellence in performance; expertness; dexterity: The dancers performed with skill.
3. a craft, trade, or job requiring manual dexterity or special training in which a person has competence and experience: the skill of cabinetmaking.
4. Obs. understanding; discernment.
5. Obs. reason; cause.
[1125-75; ME < ON skil distinction, difference; c. D geschil difference, quarrel. See SKILL2]
Syn. 1. proficiency, facility. 2. deftness, cleverness.
Ant. 1. inability.
skill2
/skil/, v.i. Archaic.
1. to matter.
2. to help; avail.
[1150-1200; ME skilien < ON skilja to distinguish, divide, akin to skil (see SKILL1), OE scylian to separate, Goth skilja butcher, Lith skélti to split]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • 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

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