skitter
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skit·ter
(skĭt′ər)v. skit·tered, skit·ter·ing, skit·ters
v.intr.
1. To move rapidly along a surface, usually with frequent light contacts or changes of direction; skip or glide quickly: lizards that skitter away when approached.
2. To fish by drawing a lure or baited hook over the surface of the water with a skipping movement.
v.tr.
To cause to skitter.
[Probably frequentative of dialectal skite, to run rapidly, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skjōta, to shoot; see shoot.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
skitter
(ˈskɪtə)vb
1. (often foll by: off) to move or run rapidly or lightly; scamper
2. to skim or cause to skim lightly and rapidly, as across the surface of water
3. (Angling) (intr) angling to draw a bait lightly over the surface of water
[C19: probably from dialect skite to dash about; related to Old Norse skjōta to shoot]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
skit•ter
(ˈskɪt ər)v.i.
1. to go, run, or glide lightly or rapidly.
2. to skim along a surface.
3. to draw a lure or a baited hook over the water with a skipping motion.
v.t. 4. to cause to skitter.
[1835–45; appar. Scots skite to dart quickly]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
skitter
Past participle: skittered
Gerund: skittering
| Imperative |
|---|
| skitter |
| skitter |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Verb | 1. | skitter - to move about or proceed hurriedly; "so terrified by the extraordinary ebbing of the sea that they scurried to higher ground" crab - scurry sideways like a crab run - move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time; "Don't run--you'll be out of breath"; "The children ran to the store" |
| 2. | skitter - glide easily along a surface glide - move smoothly and effortlessly | |
| 3. | skitter - cause to skip over a surface; "Skip a stone across the pond" throw - propel through the air; "throw a frisbee" | |
| 4. | skitter - twitch the hook of a fishing line through or along the surface of water twitch - move or pull with a sudden motion |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
skitter
verbThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
skitter
[ˈskɪtəʳ] VI to skitter across the water/along the ground [bird] → volar rozando el agua/el suelo; [stone] → saltar por encima del agua/por el sueloCollins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
skitter
vi → rutschen
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995