skelly

/ (ˈskɛlɪ) /

noun plural -lies

a whitefish, Coregonus stigmaticus, of certain lakes in the Lake District

Nearby words

skeletonize, skelf, skelic index, skell, skellum, skelly, skelm, skelmersdale, skelp, skelter, skelton

Word Origin for skelly

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

British Dictionary definitions for skelly (2 of 2)

skelly

/ (ˈskɛlɪ) Scot and Northern English dialect /

verb -lies, -lying or -lied (intr)

to look sideways or squint

noun plural -lies

a quick look; glance

adjective

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

But the reports of Slade and Skelly were so numerous and so sinister that they made a complete change of plan.
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
There remained Drake's agent Skelly, but a quick search of the book revealed no home telephone.
Making Money|Owen Johnson
Tom Sykes, who was held up by them an' robbed of his hoss, says that the rest of 'em called their leader Skelly.
The Guns of Shiloh|Joseph A. Altsheler

When the revel ended, Skelly said to his comrades in captivity that he meant to escape if possible.
History of the Early Settlement of the Juniata Valley|U. J. (Uriah James) Jones