skive

[ skahyv ]

verb (used with object)

, skived, skiv·ing.

1. to split or cut, as leather, into layers or slices.
2. to shave, as hides.
3. to finish the turning of (a metal object) by feeding a tool against it tangentially.

skive

¹

/ skaɪv /

verb

1. informal.
   whenintr, often foll by off to evade (work or responsibility)

skive

²

/ skaɪv /

verb

1. tr to shave or remove the surface of (leather)

Word History and Origins

Origin of skive¹

1815–25; perhaps < Old Norse skīfa slice

Word History and Origins

Origin of skive¹

C20: of unknown origin

Origin of skive²

C19: from Old Norse skifa; related to English dialect shive a slice of bread

Related Words

• cut back
• cut down
• decrease
• lower
• mark down
• prune
• reduce
• scrape
• shave
• slash