From Old Norse skeifr, from Proto-Germanic *skaibaz (“crooked”), of disputed ultimate origin. Perhaps from the same source as *skeuhaz (“frightened, shy”). Another possibility is Proto-Indo-European *skeh₂iwos, the source of Latin scaevus (“on the left side”). See also Swedish skev, Dutch scheef, German schief (from Low German).
skæv (neuter skævt, plural and definite singular attributive skæve)
Inflection of skæv | |||
---|---|---|---|
Positive | Comparative | Superlative | |
Indefinte common singular | skæv | skævere | skævest2 |
Indefinite neuter singular | skævt | skævere | skævest2 |
Plural | skæve | skævere | skævest2 |
Definite attributive1 | skæve | skævere | skæveste |
1) When an adjective is applied predicatively to something definite, the corresponding "indefinite" form is used. 2) The "indefinite" superlatives may not be used attributively. |