Skive
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -aɪv
Origin
From Middle English *skive ("a shaving, slice"), from Old Norse skÃfa ("a shaving, slice"), related to English shive, German Scheibe ("slice"). Compare also Old Norse skÃfa ("to cut into slices, slice").
Full definition of skive
Noun
skive
(plural skives)- The iron lap used by diamond polishers in finishing the facets of the gem.
- 2009, Nicoline van der Sijs, Cookies, Coleslaw, and Stoops: The Influence of Dutch on the North American Languages, page 93Thus, American diamond cutters would talk of a skive (after Dutch schijf), where their British colleagues would say disk or wheel.
Verb
- To pare or shave off the rough or thick parts of (hides or leather).
- (British) To avoid one's lessons or, sometimes, work. Chiefly at school or university.
- 2006, The Economist, Young offenders: Arrested developmentTruancies, rather bewilderingly, have risen among children on the programme; the government hopes this is because children skive more as they get older.