skeet

¹

[ skeet ]

noun

1. a form of trapshooting in which two traps are used and targets are hurled singly or in pairs at varying elevations and speeds so as to simulate the angles of flight taken by game birds.

skeet

²

[ skeet ]

noun

, Poker.

1. a hand consisting of a nine, five, two, and two other cards of denominations below nine but not of the same denomination, being of special value in certain games.

skeet

³

[ skeet ]

verb (used with object)

, Southern U.S. and British Dialect.

1. to spit (saliva or a mouthful of other liquid) from the mouth, especially between the teeth.
2. to splash; spray:

   Skeet some cold water on your face to cool off.

skeet

/ skiːt /

noun

1. a form of clay-pigeon shooting in which targets are hurled from two traps at varying speeds and angles Also calledskeet shooting

Word History and Origins

Origin of skeet¹

First recorded in 1925–30; supposedly as the result of a contest to choose a name for the sport (the winner claimed that the word was “a very old form” of shoot ¹ )

Origin of skeet²

Origin uncertain

Origin of skeet³

First recorded in 1875–80; compare Scots skite, scoot in same sense, probably ultimately from Old Norse skýt-, 1st-person present stem of skjóta “to shoot, launch, shove quickly”; shoot ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of skeet¹

C20: changed from Old Norse skeyti a thrown object, from skjōta to shoot

Example Sentences

Great Britain's Amber Rutter says "some accountability needs to be taken" and "an apology" given following the controversial end to the women's skeet final at the Paris Games.

From BBC

Great Britain's Amber Rutter had to settle for silver in a dramatic and controversial final of the women's skeet shooting.

From BBC

GB shooter Amber Rutter has qualified for the women's skeet final from 14:30 BST but there was disappointment for GB in the men's hockey.

From BBC

A man who favored ascots, skeet shooting and jumping horses, Biden Sr. at times lived a more patrician lifestyle than his son’s folksy, working-man tales might suggest.

From Los Angeles Times

While Rutter has not yet been officially selected, she secured Team GB's berth for the Olympic skeet shooting, and given her ranking would be selected, providing she still wants to go.

From BBC