skid

I. noun Etymology: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skīth stick of wood — more at ski Date: circa 1610 1. one of a group of objects (as planks or logs) used to support or elevate a structure or object 2. a wooden fender hung over a ship's side to protect it in handling cargo 3. a usually iron shoe or clog attached to a chain and placed under a wheel to prevent its turning when descending a steep hill ; drag 4. a timber, bar, rail, pole, or log used in pairs or sets to form a slideway (as for an incline from a truck to the sidewalk) 5. the act of skidding ; slip, sideslip 6. a runner used as a member of the landing gear of an airplane or helicopter 7. a. plural a route to defeat or downfall <

on the skids

> <

his career hit the skids

> b. a losing streak <

a 5-game skid

> 8. a low platform mounted (as on wheels) on which material is set for handling and moving; also pallet 3 • skidproof adjective II. verb (skidded; skidding) Date: 1674 transitive verb 1. to apply a brake or skid to ; slow or halt by a skid 2. a. to haul (as logs) by dragging <

cutting and skidding firewood

> b. to haul along, slide, hoist, or store on skids intransitive verb 1. to slide without rotating (as a wheel held from turning while a vehicle moves onward) 2. a. to fail to grip the roadway; especially to slip sideways on the road b. of an airplane to slide sideways away from the center of curvature when turning c. slide, slip 3. to fall rapidly, steeply, or far <

sales skidded last year

>