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Skill   /skɪl/   Listen
noun
Skill  n.  
1.
Discrimination; judgment; propriety; reason; cause. (Obs.) "As it was skill and right." "For great skill is, he prove that he wrought." (For with good reason he should test what he created.)
2.
Knowledge; understanding. (Obsoles.) "That by his fellowship he color might Both his estate and love from skill of any wight." "Nor want we skill or art."
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." "Where patience her sweet skill imparts."
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."
5.
Any particular art. (Obs.) "Learned in one skill, and in another kind of learning unskillful."
Synonyms: Dexterity; adroitness; expertness; art; aptitude; ability. Skill, Dexterity, Adroitness. Skill is more intelligent, denoting familiar knowledge united to readiness of performance. Dexterity, when applied to the body, is more mechanical, and refers to habitual ease of execution. Adroitness involves the same image with dexterity, and differs from it as implaying a general facility of movement (especially in avoidance of danger or in escaping from a difficalty). The same distinctions apply to the figurative sense of the words. A man is skillful in any employment when he understands both its theory and its practice. He is dexterous when he maneuvers with great lightness. He is adroit in the use od quick, sudden, and well-directed movements of the body or the mind, so as to effect the object he has in view.


verb
Skill  v. t.  To know; to understand. (Obs.) "To skill the arts of expressing our mind."


Skill  v. i.  
1.
To be knowing; to have understanding; to be dexterous in performance. (Obs.) "I can not skill of these thy ways."
2.
To make a difference; to signify; to matter; used impersonally. "What skills it, if a bag of stones or gold About thy neck do drown thee?" "It skills not talking of it."





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


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"Skill" Quotes from Famous Books



... the use of the machines for war purposes the war will give a great boost to aviation generally. It has led more men to learn to fly, and with a higher degree of skill than ever before. It has ...
— Aircraft and Submarines - The Story of the Invention, Development, and Present-Day - Uses of War's Newest Weapons • Willis J. Abbot
... His departure was unnoticed, though as a rule the King's private physician commanded some attention, not only by reason of his confidential post in the Royal household, but also on account of certain rumours which were circulated through the country concerning his wonderful skill in effecting complete cures where all hope of recovery had been abandoned. It was whispered, indeed, that he had discovered the 'Elixir of Life,' but that he would not allow its properties to be made known, lest as the Scripture saith, man should 'take and eat and live for ever.' It was not ...
— Temporal Power • Marie Corelli
... toned. For the order was of a peculiar and confidential character, demanding much explanation on the one part, much application on the other. It was an order, in short, wholly flattering to the self-esteem of the saddler, both as tribute to his social discretion and his technical skill. Thus did Josiah skip ...
— The History of Sir Richard Calmady - A Romance • Lucas Malet
... their own satisfaction. There is not the slightest danger of a human being holding any position that he is incapable of attaining. We can not lay down a rule for all women. Because all women are not born with a genius for navigation, shall we say that one who is by skill and education able to take observations, who understands the chart and compass, the dangerous shores, currents, and latitudes, shall not, if she chooses, be a sea captain? Suppose we apply that rule to man. Because I can ...
— History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I • Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage
... joy to see? If ye have not seen all these, Then ye do but labour leese; While ye tune your pipes to play But an idle roundelay; And in sad Discomfort's den Everyone go bite her pen; That she cannot reach the skill How to climb that blessed hill Where Aglaia's fancies dwell, Where exceedings do excell, And in simple truth confess She is that fair shepherdess To whom fairest flocks a-field Do their service ...
— Pastoral Poems by Nicholas Breton, - Selected Poetry by George Wither, and - Pastoral Poetry by William Browne (of Tavistock) • Nicholas Breton, George Wither, William Browne (of Tavistock)


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