adj., n., & v.
adj. 1 oblique, slanting, set askew. 2 Math. a lying in three dimensions (skew curve). b (of lines) not coplanar. c (of a statistical distribution) not symmetrical.
n. 1 a slant. 2 Statistics skewness.
v. 1 tr. make skew. 2 tr. distort. 3 intr. move obliquely. 4 intr. twist. on the skew askew. skew arch (or bridge) an arch (or bridge) with the line of the arch not at right angles to the abutment. skew chisel a chisel with an oblique edge. skew-eyed Brit. squinting. skew gear a gear consisting of two cog-wheels having non-parallel, non-intersecting axes. skew-whiff Brit. colloq. askew. skewness n.
[ ONF eskiu(w)er (v.) = OF eschuer: see ESCHEW ]