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definitions

skelly

1
noun plural -lies
  1. a whitefish, Coregonus stigmaticus, of certain lakes in the Lake District

Word Origin for skelly

C18: perhaps from dialect skell a shell or scale, and so called because of its large scales

skelly

2
verb -lies, -lying or -lied (intr)
  1. to look sideways or squint
noun plural -lies
  1. a quick look; glance
adjective
  1. Also: skelly-eyed cross-eyed

Word Origin for skelly

probably from Old Norse, from skjalgr wry; related to Old English sceolh a squint
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Examples from the Web for skelly

Historical Examples of skelly

  • You agree then with Mr. Shepard that these signals are made by Slade and Skelly's men?

    The Tree of Appomattox

    Joseph A. Altsheler

  • They say that up there in the Alleghanies Slade and Skelly are doing a lot of harm.

    The Tree of Appomattox

    Joseph A. Altsheler

  • From what you said Skelly started out by being for the Union.

    The Tree of Appomattox

    Joseph A. Altsheler

  • A victory won by Skelly's men with Skelly dead was no victory at all to Skelly.

    The Guns of Shiloh

    Joseph A. Altsheler

  • Slade and Skelly instantly sprang for the trees and Slade blew sharply upon his whistle.

    The Tree of Appomattox

    Joseph A. Altsheler