n. & v.
n. 1 a woman's outer garment hanging from the waist. 2 the part of a coat etc. that hangs below the waist. 3 a hanging part round the base of a hovercraft. 4 (in sing. or pl.) an edge, border, or extreme part. 5 (also bit of skirt) sl. offens. a woman regarded as an object of sexual desire. 6 (in full skirt of beef etc.) a the diaphragm and other membranes as food. b Brit. a cut of meat from the lower flank. 7 a flap of a saddle. 8 a surface that conceals or protects the wheels or underside of a vehicle or aircraft.
v. 1 tr. go along or round or past the edge of. 2 tr. be situated along. 3 tr. avoid dealing with (an issue etc.). 4 intr. (foll. by along) go along the coast, a wall, etc. skirt-dance a dance with graceful manipulation of a full skirt. skirted adj. (also in comb.). skirtless adj.
[ ME f. ON skyrta shirt, corresp. to OE scyrte: see SHIRT ]