Skill

Origins

a. Old Norse. skil, neut. (Icel. and Norw. skil, Sw. skäl, Da. skjel, skel) distinction, difference, etc., related to MLG. and MDu. schele (LG. schele, schel), MDu. and Du. geschil, verschil, LG. schill

Definitions

• 1. a. Reason as a faculty of the mind; the power of discrimination. Obs.

b. Discrimination or discretion in relation to special circumstances. Obs.

c. A sense of what is right or fitting. Obs.

• 2. a. That which is reasonable, proper, right, or just. Obs.

b. In predicative use (= reasonable, right); also with adjs. as good, great. Obs.

c. In prepositional phrases, denoting that something is in accordance with, or contrary to, what is reasonable or right. Obs.

• 3. a. Cause, reason, or ground. Also with a and pl.

b. A statement made by way of argument or reasoning. Obs.

• 4. a. One's case or cause. Obs. rare.

b. An arrangement, ordinance. Obs.1

c. A wise or sensible act. Obs.1

• 5. a. In the phrase can (or could) skill, to have discrimination or knowledge, esp. in a specified matter. Usually const. of, in, or to with inf. Obs. The phr. is an adoption of the ON. kunna skil. In later use, when not accompanied by an adj., skill was probably in most cases apprehended as a vb. (cf. SKILL v.1 4b). The construction with of is extremely common c1525-1640.

b. With adjs., as good, no, some, etc.

• 6. a. Capability of accomplishing something with precision and certainty; practical knowledge in combination with ability; cleverness, expertness. Also, an ability to perform a function, acquired or learnt with practice (usu. pl.). Freq. const. to with inf.

b. Const. in (also arch. of) a subject, practice, etc.

c. An art or science. Obs.

d. A skilled person. Obs.1

• 7. Knowledge or understanding of something. Now arch.