英文字典中文字典Word104.com

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Skill \Skill\, n. [Icel. skil a distinction, discernment; akin
to skilja to separate, divide, distinguish, Sw. skilja,.
skille to separate, skiel reason, right, justice, Sw.
sk[aum]l 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.

Usage: {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]


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

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


Skill \Skill\, 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]