Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A roaring or swaggering companion (¶). See etymology.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun obsolete A messmate; a companion.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun obsolete A
messmate ; acompanion .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Perhaps originally a companion in winding thread (see skein) or a companion in arms, from skain ("a sword") (see skean). See mate.
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Examples
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There’s a bit of rough sex in this one, but just about the nastiest thing you’ll hear anyone say is, “Hell’s bells! or “You, you – bat-fowling, lily-livered skainsmate!”
Comments
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