I. ˈskərt noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse skyrta shirt, kirtle — more at shirt
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(1) : a free-hanging part of an outer garment or undergarment extending from the waist down
(2) : a separate free-hanging outer garment or undergarment usually worn by women and girls covering some or all of the body from the waist down
b. : either of two usually leather flaps on a saddle covering the bars on which the stirrups are hung
c. : a cloth facing that hangs from the bottom edge or across the front of a piece of furniture
d. : the lower branches of a tree when near the ground
2.
a. : the rim, periphery, or environs of an area
b. plural : outlying parts (as of a town or city)
3. : a part or attachment serving as a rim, border, or edging
4. slang : a girl or woman
• skirt·ed adjective
II. verb
Date: 1602
transitive verb
1. : to form or run along the border or edge of : border
2.
a. : to provide a skirt for
b. : to furnish a border or shield for
3.
a. : to go or pass around or about ; specifically : to go around or keep away from in order to avoid danger or discovery
b. : to avoid especially because of difficulty or fear of controversy
skirt ed the issue
c. : to evade or miss by a narrow margin
having skirt ed disaster — Edith Wharton
intransitive verb
: to be, lie, or move along an edge or border
• skirt·er noun