skate

I. noun (plural skates; also skate) Etymology: Middle English scate, from Old Norse skata Date: 14th century any of a family (Rajidae, especially genus Raja) of rays with the pectoral fins greatly developed giving the fish a flat diamond shape II. noun Etymology: 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 Date: 1684 1. a. 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 III. verb (skated; skating) Date: 1696 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 IV. noun Etymology: probably alteration of English dialect skite an offensive person Date: 1894 1. a thin awkward-looking or decrepit horse ; nag 2. fellow 4c