skittish etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English skittish, from Old English scyte, from Proto-Germanic skutjōn, originally meaning "shy, shooting aside"
  • Related to Proto-Germanic skeutaną, meaning "to shoot, flee"

Meaning:

  • Easily frightened or startled; nervous or jumpy
  • Inconstant or unreliable

Origin:

The word "skittish" originates from the Old English term "scyte," which described animals that were shy or inclined to flee. This sense of avoiding or running away from perceived danger is reflected in the modern meaning of "skittish." The Proto-Germanic root skeutaną also suggests a connection to the idea of rapid movement.

Over time, the term "skittish" evolved to encompass not only physical reactions to fear but also emotional and mental states. It came to describe individuals who were easily agitated or prone to nervous behavior, as well as situations or relationships that were characterized by instability or uncertainty.

skittish relate terms

  • skit

    Etymology The word skit is derived from the Old Norse word skita meaning a short

  • shoot

    Etymology Proto Indo European s kew meaning to push throw cast Meaning To

  • skittish

    Etymology Middle English skittish from Old English scyte from Proto Germanic skutjōn

  • skitter

    Etymology The word skitter is derived from the Middle English word skiten meaning t

  • skittish

    Etymology Middle English skittish from Old English scyte from Proto Germanic skutjōn

  • skit

    Etymology The word skit is derived from the Old Norse word skita meaning a short

  • scot free

    Etymology Scot is an archaic term for a tax or penalty Free originally meant immu

  • scout

    Etymology and Meaning The word scout has two distinct etymologies and meanings 1 Mi

  • sheet

    Etymology The word sheet comes from the Old English word scyte which is itself deriv

  • sheet

    Etymology The word sheet comes from the Old English word scyte which is itself deriv

  • shoot

    Etymology Proto Indo European s kew meaning to push throw cast Meaning To

  • shot

    Etymology Middle English schoten from Old English sceotan Proto Germanic skeutaną

  • shout

    Etymology Old English scēotan to dart shoot expel Proto Germanic skeutaną Pro

  • shut

    Etymology The word shut is derived from the Middle English word schutten which in t

  • shuttle

    Etymology The word shuttle comes from the Old English word scytel which means shoot

  • wainscot

    Etymology The word wainscot derives from the Middle English term waynscot which in