n. [ Icel. skil a distinction, discernment; akin to skilja to separate, divide, distinguish, Sw. skilja, . skille to separate, skiel reason, right, justice, Sw. skäl reason, Lith. skelli to cleave. Cf. Shell, Shoal, a multitude. ] 1. Discrimination; judgment; propriety; reason; cause. [ Obs. ] Shak. “As it was skill and right.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

For great skill is, he prove that he wrought. [ For with good reason he should test what he created. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Knowledge; understanding. [ Obsoles. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

That by his fellowship he color might
Both his estate and love from skill of any wight. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor want we skill or art. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Phocion, . . . by his great wisdom and skill at negotiations, diverted Alexander from the conquest of Athens. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where patience her sweet skill imparts. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Display of art; exercise of ability; contrivance; address. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Richard . . . by a thousand princely skills, gathering so much corn as if he meant not to return. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Any particular art. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Learned in one skill, and in another kind of learning unskillful. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To know; to understand. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To skill the arts of expressing our mind. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

What skills it, if a bag of stones or gold
About thy neck do drown thee? Herbert. [ 1913 Webster ]

It skills not talking of it. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having familiar knowledge united with readiness and dexterity in its application; familiarly acquainted with; expert; skillful; -- often followed by in; as, a person skilled in drawing or geometry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. escuelette, dim. of escuelle a porringer, F. ecuelle, fr. L. scutella, dim. of scutra, scuta, a dish. Cf. Scuttle a basket. ] A small vessel of iron, copper, or other metal, with a handle, used for culinary purpose, as for stewing meat. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Written also skilful. ] 1. Discerning; reasonable; judicious; cunning. [ Obs. ] “Of skillful judgment.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Possessed of, or displaying, skill; knowing and ready; expert; well-versed; able in management; as, a skillful mechanic; -- often followed by at, in, or of; as, skillful at the organ; skillful in drawing. [ 1913 Webster ]

And they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skillful of lamentations to wailing. Amos v. 16. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Expert; skilled; dexterous; adept; masterly; adroit; clever; cunning. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Skill"ful*ly, adv. -- Skill"ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A kind of thin, weak broth or oatmeal porridge, served out to prisoners and paupers in England; also, a drink made of oatmeal, sugar, and water, sometimes used in the English navy or army. [ Written also skilligolee, skillygalee, etc. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Sheeling. ] A bay of a barn; also, a slight addition to a cottage. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Sw. & Dan. See Shilling. ] A money of account in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and North Germany, and also a coin. It had various values, from three fourths of a cent in Norway to more than two cents in Lübeck. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Lacking skill. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]