A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Skew, Scue, v. [ME and e.m.E. skew(e (a1400), ONF eskiu(w)er, eskuer, varr. of OF eschiver, eschuir (1080 and 1190 in Greimas).] a. intr. To move to the side, proceed in an oblique direction. b. tr. To turn (something) to one side. —a. c1475 Wall. ix 148.
Crawfurd drew saill, skewyt by, and off thaim past 1562 Old Dundee I 153.
That all the rest of the corbels skew lineally fra the north to the south corbel 1701 Brand Orkney & Shetl. 9.
We judged it safest to keep as near it [sc. the land] as we could, and scued away by the coast —b. 1512 Old Ross-shire II 56.
To gar breik and skew the north syde wall 1669 Edinb. B. Rec. X 55.
To … cause the said spout … be skewed and convoyed northward
