Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SKEET, v.¹, n.¹ Also skit (Jak.). Sc. forms and usages of Eng. skate (on ice). [skit]

I. v. 1. tr. and intr. To (make to) skim over the surface of water, to play with stones at ducks and drakes (I.Sc., Cai. 1970), in rowing: to catch a crab (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). Hence skeeter, a skim-stone (Arg., Lnk. 1970).Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 93:
Dey wir pullin' wi awfil warps, plumpin' an' skeetin' an' kerryin' on.Cai. 1922 J. Horne Poems 33:
'E roadside wallie sleeps calm an' cool, An' 'e clockies skeet on its face.

2. To skate (on ice), hence skeeter, a skater, a water-beetle (Cai. 1970); to slither, slide.Ags. 1896 A. Blair Rantin Robin 43:
I had gotten frae aneath the ither skeeters by this time.Mry. 1961 Elgin Courant (6 Dec.):
[To] order sand — just stoorie muck, To help us a' frae skeetin'!

3. To hurry, hasten, dart about (Sh. 1970). Freq. skeetle, to scurry (Id.).Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 89:
Skeet howe hame, guid folk.Sh. 1963 New Shetlander No. 67. 8:
Yun lipper covered-in motor-cycle wi da peerie wheels at Willy's boy skeetles aboot apo.Sh. 1968 New Shetlander No. 87. 7:
Terrified hens an cats at skeetled oot fae among da segs an lang girse.

II. n. An ice-skate (Ags. 1970).Ags. 1892 Arbroath Guide (27 Feb.) 3:
Jamie an' me got oor skeets strapped on.