I. ˈskyüə(r), -yu̇(ə)r, -u̇ə noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably alteration of skiver (I)
1. : a pin of wood or metal for fastening meat to keep in form while roasting or to hold small pieces of meat and vegetables for broiling
shish kebab served on skewers
2. : any of various things shaped or used like a meat skewer: as
a. : an ornamental pin used to secure clothing or hair
b. : a pointed wooden rod at each end of a bobbin creel (as on a roving machine) on which the creel runs
c. : a pointed rod formed with a loop for a handle and used to secure a loose piece while ramming a mold
d. : a long slender bone artifact found in Hopewell archaeological sites and thought to have been used to pin matting or hides to the ground
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to fasten or pierce with a skewer
skewer a roast
2. : to fasten or pierce as if with a skewer : transfix
accidentally skewered in the rear by the bayonet of another recruit — Earle Birney
skewers both the dunderheads of the fun-and-games department and the sacred cows in the newspaper hierarchy — W.W.Smith
3. : to cause to penetrate like a skewer
skewers his criticism home
• skew·er·er noun -s