skep

[ skep ]

noun

1. a round farm basket of wicker or wood.
2. Also the amount contained in a skep.
3. a beehive, especially of straw.

skep

/ skɛp /

noun

1. a beehive, esp one constructed of straw
2. dialect.
   a large basket of wickerwork or straw

Word History and Origins

Origin of skep¹

before 1100; Middle English skeppe, late Old English sceppe < Old Norse skeppa half-bushel; akin to German Scheffel

Word History and Origins

Origin of skep¹

Old English sceppe, from Old Norse skeppa bushel; related to Old High German sceffil bushel

Example Sentences

Skep, skep, n. a grain-basket, or beehive made of straw or wicker-work.

From Project Gutenberg

Suddenly the skep was enveloped in a cyclone of bees, and again the orchard sang with the exciting song of the wings.

From Project Gutenberg

An apiary of a single skep in a roped-off enclosure was an illustration of unfamiliarity with bees.

From Project Gutenberg

Tom Dinass was there, too, in charge with the engineer of the skep, to ensure a safe descent.

From Project Gutenberg

First, the old-fashioned plan of keeping the bees in a common bell-shaped straw hive, or skep.

From Project Gutenberg