skerry

[ sker-ee ]

noun

, Chiefly Scot.

, plural sker·ries.

1. a small, rocky island.
2. a coastline with a series of such islands offshore.

skerry

/ ˈskɛrɪ /

noun

1. a small rocky island
2. a reef

Word History and Origins

Origin of skerry¹

1605–15; Shetland dial. skerri a rock in the sea < Old Norse sker (genitive plural skerja ) rock or reef (in the sea). See scar ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of skerry¹

C17: Orkney dialect, from Old Norse sker scar ²

Example Sentences

Skerry Hill was the absurdly-named trading store of a man named Minton, and at present it was in a state of siege.

From Project Gutenberg

But he was so much more sharp-sighted than they, that he was able to discern men upon the skerry. '

From Project Gutenberg

There was only one spot where even in moderate weather a landing could be without difficulty effected on Ossa Skerry.

From Project Gutenberg

At last they got sufficiently to the westward to look along the outer side of Ossa Skerry.

From Project Gutenberg

I've boiled 'undreds of 'em—Skerry blues, magnums, queen of them all, Cheshires—none of 'em takes more than half an hour.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• atoll
• beach
• coral reef
• shoal