See Also: skittish(dictionary)
skittish(dictionary)

skittish (iou)



skittish adjective. LME.
[Origin uncertain: perh. formed as SKIT verb2 + -ISH1.]
a. Characterized by levity; excessively light; frivolous. LME.
S. Richardson If you think you can part with her for her skittish tricks.
b. Spirited, lively; playful. L16.
E. Bowen She was skittish..though..playfulness did not ill become her.
(Of an animal, esp. a horse) inclined to shy or be restive; transf. (of a person) nervous or shy (of), fidgety. E16.
W. Cather Signa is apt to be skittish at mealtime, when the men are about, and to spill the coffee. J. A. Michener Sometimes a horse would become skittish and move sideways for a distance.
Fickle, changeable; tricky, difficult to deal with. L16.
Times An extremely skittish..market over the short term.
skittishly adverb L16.
skittishness noun E17.