skelf

/ skɛlf /

noun

1. a splinter of wood, esp when embedded accidentally in the skin
2. a thin or diminutive person

Word History and Origins

Origin of skelf¹

from Scottish; see shelf

Example Sentences

Other examples include “snaw” and “sneesl”, meaning to begin to rain or snow, and “skelf”, a large snowflake.

From The Guardian

"What brings ye frae Peebles, man?" continued the warder, "in sic a night as this, when a witch wouldna venture on the Skelf Hill, far less owre North Berwick Law."

From Project Gutenberg

Having a mouth which emits sounds like those made in planing. sicker, certain. siver, sewer. skail, skayl, disperse. skelf, shelf. skirr, scour. sklinter, v. splinter. skreigh, cry. sleekit, deceitful. slocken, slake. smeddam, spirit. sneck, bolt. snell, keen.

From Project Gutenberg

Then Sam he loups to the dresser-shelf— “I daur ye wallop my leddy’s delf; I daur ye break but a single skelf Frae her cheeny bowl, my man!”

From Project Gutenberg

It wasna an ill w'y to beery fowk, nor an ill place to gang til, for they aye biggit up the skelf, ye ken.

From Project Gutenberg