skene

[skee-nee]

noun, plural ske·nai [skee-nahy] /ˈski naɪ/.

(in the ancient Greek theater) a structure facing the audience and forming the background before which performances were given.

Origin of skene

< Greek skēnḗ; see scene

skene

[skeen]

noun

skean.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for skene

Historical Examples of skene

Dr. Skene's belief as to the historical position of the F's, 46.
The Testimony of Tradition
David MacRitchie
It afterwards came into the possession of the Family of Skene.
The Works of John Knox, Volume 2 (of 6)
John Knox
As in Fordun: first drawn with horses and finally executed (Skene, i. 348).
The Bruce
John Barbour
Four years later, Scott sent for his old friend Skene of Rubislaw.
Edinburgh
Rosaline Masson
Skene says this “is the oldest authentic notice of St. Patrick.”
Insula Sanctorum et Doctorum
John Healy

Word Origin and History for skene

ancient type of Celtic dagger found in Ireland, double-edged and leaf-like, 1520s, from Irish Gaelic scian (genitive sceine) "knife," cognate with Gaelic sgian "knife," Welsh ysgien "a slicer," from PIE *skiy-ena-, from root *skei- "to divide, split" (see shed (v.)).