skeet

¹

[skeet]

noun

1. a form of trapshooting in which two traps are used and targets are hurled singly or in pairs at varying elevations and speeds so as to simulate the angles of flight taken by game birds.

skeet

²

[skeet]

noun

Poker.

1. a hand consisting of a nine, five, two, and two other cards of denominations below nine but not of the same denomination, being of special value in certain games.

skeet

³

[skeet]

verb (used with object)

Southern U.S. and British Dialect.

1. to spit (saliva or a mouthful of other liquid) from the mouth, especially between the teeth.

2. to splash; spray.

   Skeet some cold water on your face to cool off.

skeet

/ skiːt /

noun

1. Also called: skeet shooting. a form of clay-pigeon shooting in which targets are hurled from two traps at varying speeds and angles

Word History and Origins

Origin of skeet¹

First recorded in 1925–30; supposedly as the result of a contest to choose a name for the sport (the winner claimed that the word was “a very old form” of shoot ¹ )

Origin of skeet²

Origin uncertain

Origin of skeet³

First recorded in 1875–80; compare Scots skite, scoot in same sense, probably ultimately from Old Norse skýt-, 1st-person present stem of skjóta “to shoot, launch, shove quickly”; shoot ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of skeet¹

C20: changed from Old Norse skeyti a thrown object, from skjōta to shoot

Example Sentences

Between downpours, he did a little skeet shooting at the rifle range.

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Great Britain's Amber Rutter says "some accountability needs to be taken" and "an apology" given following the controversial end to the women's skeet final at the Paris Games.

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Great Britain's Amber Rutter had to settle for silver in a dramatic and controversial final of the women's skeet shooting.

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GB shooter Amber Rutter has qualified for the women's skeet final from 14:30 BST but there was disappointment for GB in the men's hockey.

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A man who favored ascots, skeet shooting and jumping horses, Biden Sr. at times lived a more patrician lifestyle than his son’s folksy, working-man tales might suggest.

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