[skill] vi [ME skilen, fr. ON skilja to separate, divide; akin to ON skil distinction] (13c) archaic: to make a difference: matter, avail
[2]skill n [ME skil, fr. ON, distinction, knowledge; prob. akin to OE scylian to separate, sciell shell--more at shell] (13c) 1 obs: cause, reason
2. a: the ability to use one's knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance b: dexterity or coordination esp. in the execution of learned physical tasks
3: a learned power of doing something competently: a developed aptitude or ability "language ~s" syn see art -- skill-less or skil.less adj -- skill-less.ness or skil.less.ness n