skill

1
[ skil ]
/ skɪl /

noun

the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well: Carpentry was one of his many skills.
competent excellence in performance; expertness; dexterity: The dancers performed with skill.
a craft, trade, or job requiring manual dexterity or special training in which a person has competence and experience: the skill of cabinetmaking.
Obsolete. understanding; discernment.
Obsolete. reason; cause.

Origin of skill

1
1125–75; Middle English < Old Norse skil distinction, difference; cognate with Dutch geschil difference, quarrel. See skill2

Definition for skill (2 of 2)

skill 2
[ skil ]
/ skɪl /

verb (used without object) Archaic.

to matter.
to help; avail.

Origin of skill

2
1150–1200; Middle English skilien < Old Norse skilja to distinguish, divide, akin to skil (see skill1), Old English scylian to separate, Gothic skilja butcher, Lithuanian skélti to split

Example sentences from the Web for skill

British Dictionary definitions for skill

skill
/ (skɪl) /

noun

special ability in a task, sport, etc, esp ability acquired by training
something, esp a trade or technique, requiring special training or manual proficiency
obsolete understanding

Derived forms of skill

skill-less or skilless, adjective

Word Origin for skill

C12: from Old Norse skil distinction; related to Middle Low German schēle, Middle Dutch geschil difference