skate

Etymology 1

Back-formation from Dutch schaats, from Middle Dutch schāetse, from Old Northern French escache (“a stilt, trestle”) (compare French échasse and English scatch), from a Germanic language, perhaps Frankish *skakkjā (“stilt”, literally “thing that moves”), related to *skakan (“to shake, swing”).

noun

1. A runner or blade, usually of steel, with a frame shaped to fit the sole of a shoe, made to be fastened under the foot, and used for gliding on ice.
2. Abbreviation of ice skate.
3. Abbreviation of roller skate.
4. The act of skateboarding
   There's time for a quick skate before dinner.
5. The act of roller skating or ice skating
   The boys had a skate every morning when the lake was frozen.

verb

1. To move along a surface (ice or ground) using skates.
2. To skateboard.
3. (skiing) To use the skating technique.
4. (slang) To get away with something; to be acquitted of a crime for which one is manifestly guilty.
5. To move smoothly and easily.
   Addressing a short pass from Henderson, he always felt too smart for Mykola Matviyenko, taking a step to lure him one way; dropping his shoulder and skating in the other direction, further inside. March 26 2023, David Hytner, “Kane and Bukayo Saka combine against Ukraine for England’s perfect Euros start”, in The Guardian

adj

1. (skiing) Pertaining to the technique of skating.

Etymology 2

)]] From Middle English skat, scate (also schat), from Old Norse skata (“skate”). Cognate with Icelandic skata (“skate, ray”), Norwegian skate (“skate”).

noun

1. A fish of the family Rajidae in the superorder Batoidea (rays) which inhabit most seas. Skates generally have small heads with protruding muzzles, and wide fins attached to a flat body.

Etymology 3

Unknown.

noun

1. A worn-out horse.
2. A mean or contemptible person.