skean

1 of 2
variants or skeane

less common spellings of skein

skean

2 of 2

noun

variants or skene

Examples of skean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Didion’s missives were keenly observant, full of language that cut like a skean. Erin Overbey, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English skene, from Irish scian & Scottish Gaelic sgian, from Old Irish scían; probably akin to Sanskrit chyati he cuts off — more at science

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skean was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near skean

Cite this Entry

“Skean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skean. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!