skittish
[ skit-ish ]
/ ˈskɪt ɪʃ /
adjective
apt to start or shy: a skittish horse.
restlessly or excessively lively: a skittish mood.
fickle; uncertain.
shy; coy.
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Origin of skittish
Related formsskit·tish·ly, adverbskit·tish·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for skittish
British Dictionary definitions for skittish
skittish
/ (ˈskɪtɪʃ) /
adjective
playful, lively, or frivolous
difficult to handle or predict
rare coy
Derived Formsskittishly, adverbskittishness, noun
Word Origin for skittish
C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse skjōta to shoot; see -ish
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for skittish
skittish
early 15c., "very lively, frivolous," perhaps from Scandinavian base *skyt- (stem of Old Norse skjota "to shoot, launch, move quickly"), from PIE root *skeud- "to shoot, to chase, to throw, to project" (see shoot (v.)). Sense of "shy, nervous, apt to run" first recorded c.1500, of horses. Related: Skittishly; skittishness.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper