skive

[skahyv] /skaɪv/
verb (used with object), skived, skiving.
1.
to split or cut, as leather, into layers or slices.
2.
to shave, as hides.
3.
to finish the turning of (a metal object) by feeding a tool against it tangentially.
Origin
1815-25; perhaps < Old Norse skīfa slice
British Dictionary definitions for skive

skive1

/skaɪv/
verb
1.
(transitive) to shave or remove the surface of (leather)
Word Origin
C19: from Old Norse skifa; related to English dialect shive a slice of bread

skive2

/skaɪv/
verb
1.
(Brit, informal) when intr, often foll by off. to evade (work or responsibility)
Word Origin
C20: of unknown origin
Word Origin and History for skive
v.

"split or cut into strips, pare off, grind away," 1825, of Scandinavian origin, cf. Old Norse skifa "to cut, split," from Proto-Germanic *skif-, from Proto-Indo-European *skei- "to cut, split" (see shed (v.)). Related: Skived; skiving.

"evade duty," usually with off, 1919, probably from earlier sense "move lightly and quickly, dart" (1854), of unknown origin. Related: Skived; skiving.

Slang definitions & phrases for skive

skive

verb

To shirk duty: skive off for a rest

[1919; originally armed forces]