Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
skellum. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
skellum, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
skellum in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
skellum you have here. The definition of the word
skellum will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
skellum, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Danish skælm, from Middle Low German; cognate to German Schelm.
Noun
skellum (plural skellums)
- (obsolete, UK) A scoundrel.
1663 April 3, Samuel Pepys, Diary:Dr. Creeton, [Robert Creighton] the Scotchman, […] ripped up Hugh Peters (calling him the execrable skellum), his preaching and stirring up the maids of the city to bring in their bodkins and thimbles.
1791, Robert Burns, Tam O' Shanter, lines 17–22:O Tam! had'st thou but been sae wise,
As taen thy ain wife Kate's advice!
She tauld thee weel thou was a skellum,
A blethering, blustering, drunken blellum;
That frae November till October,
Ae market-day thou was na sober.
Etymology 2
From Afrikaans skelm, from German Schelm or Middle Low German; cognate to etymology 1.
Noun
skellum (plural skellums)
- (South Africa) A rogue.
Anagrams
Icelandic
Noun
skellum f
- indefinite dative plural of skella
Verb
skellum
- first-person plural present indicative of skella
- first-person plural present subjunctive of skella