skate

noun (1)

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\ ˈskāt

plural skates also skate

Definition of skate

(Entry 1 of 4)

: any of a family (Rajidae, especially genus Raja) of rays with the pectoral fins greatly developed giving the fish a flat diamond shape

skate

noun (2)

Definition of skate (Entry 2 of 4)

1a : a metal frame that can be fitted to the sole of a shoe and to which is attached a runner or a set of wheels for gliding over ice or a surface other than ice

b : roller skate especially : in-line skate

c : ice skate

2 : a period of skating

skate

verb

skated; skating

Definition of skate (Entry 3 of 4)

intransitive verb

1 : to glide along on skates propelled by the alternate action of the legs

2 : to slip or glide as if on skates

3 : to proceed in a superficial or blithe manner

transitive verb

: to go along or through by skating

skate

noun (3)

Definition of skate (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : a thin awkward-looking or decrepit horse : nag

2 : fellow sense 4c

Examples of skate in a Sentence

Verb hockey players skating into position Couples skated around the rink. She skated an excellent program in the competition. We skate at the park. The bugs skated along the surface of the water.

First Known Use of skate

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1684, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1696, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (3)

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for skate

Noun (1)

Middle English scate, from Old Norse skata

Noun (2)

modification of Dutch schaats, from Middle Dutch schaetse stilt, from Old French dialect (Flanders, Hainaut) *escace, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old English sceacan to shake — more at shake

Noun (3)

probably alteration of English dialect skite an offensive person

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Cite this Entry

“Skate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skate. Accessed 7 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for skate

skate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of skate

: to move or glide over a surface on skates

: to ride or perform tricks on a skateboard

: to move or glide quickly along a surface

See the full definition for skate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

skate

verb

\ ˈskāt

skated; skating

Kids Definition of skate

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : to glide along on skates

2 : to slide or glide along They watched long-legged water-bugs skate over the glassy-still pools.— Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie

skate

noun

Kids Definition of skate (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a metal blade fitting the sole of the shoe or a shoe with a permanently attached metal blade used for gliding on ice

2 : roller skate

skate

noun

Kids Definition of skate (Entry 3 of 3)

: a flat fish related to the sharks that has large and nearly triangular fins

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