skean

[ skeen, skee-uhn ]

noun

1. a knife or dagger formerly used in Ireland and in the Scottish Highlands.

skean

/ skiːn /

noun

1. a kind of double-edged dagger formerly used in Ireland and Scotland

Word History and Origins

Origin of skean¹

1520–30; < Scots Gaelic sgian or Irish scian

Word History and Origins

Origin of skean¹

from Irish and Scottish Gaelic scian

Example Sentences

Kyral's face changed as she spoke; he drew a long breath and threw the whip down beside my skean on the floor.

From Project Gutenberg

The big lunk made a grab at the girl, and I whipped out my skean and pantomimed.

From Project Gutenberg

Suddenly, so swiftly my eyes could hardly follow, he whipped out his skean and came at me.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the only thing I could get, but I sharpened it myself; it has an edge like a skean.'

From Project Gutenberg

For an instant the shock drove the breath out of Brian, then he felt a hand close on his throat, and struck out with his skean.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• sword