| skipped generation | A phenomenon of pedigrees in which a gene is transmitted from one affected person to another through a phenotypically unaffected person, as by recessivity (especially for X-linked traits), epistasis, variable expressivity, or absence of an environmental challenge such as a toxin. Except at a crass phenotypic level (e.g., clinical or commercial) this term becomes progressively less useful as the mechanisms are elucidated. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| skipper | 1. The master of a fishing or small trading vessel; hence, the master, or captain, of any vessel. 2. A ship boy. Origin: D. Schipper. See Shipper, and Ship. 1. One who, or that which, skips. 2. A young, thoughtless person. 3. <zoology> The saury (Scomberesox saurus). 4. The cheese maggot. See Cheese fly, under Cheese. 5. <zoology> Any one of numerous species of small butterflies of the family Hesperiadae; so called from their peculiar short, jerking flight. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skirlcock | <zoology> The missel thrush; so called from its harsh alarm note. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skirling | <zoology> A small trout or salmon; a name used loosely. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skirr | <zoology> A tern. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skirret | <botany> An umbelliferous plant (Sium, or Pimpinella, Sisarum). It is a native of Asia, but has been long cultivated in Europe for its edible clustered tuberous roots, which are very sweet. Origin: A corrupted form equivalent to sugarwort. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skirrhus | <medicine> See Scirrhus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skirt | 1. To cover with a skirt; to surround. "Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold." (Milton) 2. To border; to form the border or edge of; to run along the edge of; as, the plain was skirted by rows of trees. "When sundown skirts the moor." Origin: Skirted; Skirting. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skittle | Pertaining to the game of skittles. Skittle alley, an alley or court in which the game of skittles is played. Skittle ball, a disk or flattish ball of wood for throwing at the pins in the game of skittles. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skittle-dog | <zoology> The piked dogfish. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skittles | An English game resembling ninepins, but played by throwing wooden disks, instead of rolling balls, at the pins. Origin: Of Scand. Origin. See Shoot, and cf. Shuttle, Skit. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skitty | <zoology> A rail; as, the water rail (called also skitty cock, and skitty coot); the spotted crake (Porzana maruetta), and the moor hen. Origin: Cf. Skittish. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skiver | 1. An inferior quality of leather, made of split sheepskin, tanned by immersion in sumac, and dyed. It is used for hat linings, pocketbooks, bookbinding, etc. 2. The cutting tool or machine used in splitting leather or skins, as sheepskins. Origin: Cf. Skewer, Shiver a fragment. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skiving | 1. The act of paring or splitting leather or skins. 2. A piece made in paring or splitting leather; specifically, the part from the inner, or flesh, side. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Sklowsky symptom | The rupture of a varicella vesicle on very slight pressure with the finger, greater pressure being necessary to break the vesicles of smallpox, herpes, or other affections. (05 Mar 2000) |