skene

American  

[skee-nee] / ˈski ni /

noun

skenai plural

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

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• skenai
  plural

Etymology

Origin of skene

< Greek skēnḗ; see scene

Example Sentences

"Ow, ay!" assented Malcolm, indifferently,—"Gien ye wad luik in, my leddy, I wad lat ye see his claymore, an' his dirk, an' his skene dhu, an' a'."

From Malcolm by MacDonald, George

Thy loyal crew of clansmen true, No panic fear shall turn them, With steel-cap, blade, and skene array'd, Their banning foes they spurn them.

From The Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume I. The Songs of Scotland of the past half century by Rogers, Charles

"He has his skene dhu yet, an' in grips that's warst ava."

From Malcolm by MacDonald, George

The skene and broadsword, which I see you all wear, will be ten times as effective on foot.’

From The Caged Lion by Yonge, Charlotte Mary

Little, however, was said while the waggon axle and skene were in process of completion, and then adjusted to the vehicle by the light of a lantern.

From The Prophet of the Great Smoky Mountains by Murfree, Mary Noailles