skittish

English

/ˈskɪtɪʃ/, [ˈskɪɾɪʃ]

adj
Definitions
  • Easily scared or startled; timid.
  • Wanton; changeable; fickle
  • Difficult to manage; tricky.

Etymology

Suffix from English skite (particularly in an oblique direction, move lightly and hurriedly, move suddenly, Northern England).

Origin

English

skite

Gloss

particularly in an oblique direction, move lightly and hurriedly, move suddenly, Northern England

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms