skene

American  

[skee-nee] / ˈski ni /

noun

plural

skenai

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

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Etymology

Origin of skene

< Greek skēnḗ; see scene

Example Sentences

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

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

His dirk was lying not far off, and his skene dhu close by his hand.

From Warlock o' Glenwarlock by MacDonald, George

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

To avoid this temptation some employ mediæval daggers, or skene dhus, but the edges spoil a book.

From The Private Library What We Do Know, What We Don't Know, What We Ought to Know About Our Books by Humphreys, Arthur Lee