† skirmn.
Obsolete. rare.
Movement as in fencing or fighting; skirmish.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > [noun] > as in fencing or fighting
skirm1534
society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > [noun] > a fight
bicker1297
fightc1300
tirpeilc1330
ragea1393
stradec1400
intermell1489
cockfighta1513
skirm1534
bustle1579
pell-mellc1586
brabble1587
jostle1607
scufflea1616
counterbuff1632
mêléea1648
roil1690
tussle1749
scrimmage1780
turn-up1810
scrape1812
pounding match1815
mellay1819
struggle1840
mix-up1841
scrap1846
rough-up1891
turn-to1893
push and shove1895
bagarre1897
stoush1908
dogfight1910
bundle1936
sort-out1937
yike1940
bassa-bassa1956
punch-up1958
thump-up1967
1534 Prymer in Eng. sig. F.v Syr, lo: here are two swerdes, thynk ye not these two be sufficient for this scyrme.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13541 Thus I skope fro the skathe with skyrme of my hondes.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
† skirmv.
Obsolete.
1.
a. intransitive. To fence, to skirmish.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > fight [verb (intransitive)]
fightc900
deal993
wraxlec1000
skirm?c1225
makec1275
mellc1300
to fight togethera1400
meddlec1400
match1440
wring1470
cobc1540
toilc1540
strike1579
beat1586
scuffle1590
exchange blows1594
to bang it out or aboutc1600
buffeta1616
tussle1638
dimicate1657
to try a friskin1675
to battle it1821
muss1851
scrap1874
to mix it1905
dogfight1929
yike1940
to go upside (someone's) head1970
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 158 Þe wreðfule bi fore þe feont skirmeð mid cniues.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4061 Þeos tweien cnihtes bi-gunnen mid sceldes to scurmen [c1300 Otho to sceremigge].
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 4745 Oþer bachelers skirmede faste, Wrastlede, lepen, stones caste.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2227 Somme for to sckyrme asay with swerd & bokelere.
c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) ii. cxxi. 120 Now j wole telle of the staf;..I skirme therwith and defende me.
1568 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 67 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1930) IV. 130 Sum bird will bay at my beke..Sum skyrme [a1525 Asloan skrym] at myn e.
b. transitive. To engage with (one) in fight. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > fight with [verb (transitive)]
fightOE
strugglec1386
wrestle1398
cope witha1467
undertake1470
to set one's foot by1536
skirmc1540
make1542
to break blows, words with1589
combata1592
to take up1600
warsle1606
stoush1924
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13601 Þow has britnet my brether..; And now Aschatus with skath wold skirme to þe deth.
2. intransitive. To dart about, move rapidly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move swiftly and suddenly > about
skirmc1400
wincec1400
squib1762
spirt1856
wasp1967
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 483 Ho skyrmez vnder skwe & skowtez aboute, Tyl hit was nyȝe at þe naȝt.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12500 Hit skirmyt in the skewes with a skyre low.
Derivatives
ˈskirming n. In Wars Alex. 5157 the form skirmand probably stands for skremand screaming.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > [noun]
fightOE
skirmingc1275
medleyc1330
mellinga1375
strugglingc1386
mellayc1400
meddlinga1450
skirmerya1500
stightlinga1500
debatea1533
camping?1549
scrambling1598
scuffling1599
duel1764
tussling1844
scrapping1891
bopping1958
c1275 Laȝamon Brut 8144 Þeos twei cnihtes bi-gonnen to sceremigge [read -inge].
a1300 Havelok 2323 Buttinge with sharpe speres, Skirming with taleuaces þat men beres.
a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 672 Now can Alisaundre of skirmyng, As of stedes derayeyng.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1534v.?c1225