skirt

Everyday

1. A skirt is a piece of clothing worn by women and girls that hangs from the waist and has no separate legs. tree →
2. The skirt of a dress or coat is the part below the waist. tree →
3. To skirt something means to go round the edge of it. tree →
4. To skirt (round) a problem or question means to avoid talking about it. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life it is about school uniform (skirt or trousers), shopping and clothes. In stories the verb shows a path going round something, or someone dodging a hard topic. Phrases: «a pleated skirt», «a school skirt», «skirt round the edge», «skirt the issue», «skirting board» (a strip at the bottom of a wall).

Examples

• She wore a grey pleated skirt to school. tree →
• Girls may choose a skirt or trousers. tree →
• The path skirted the lake. tree →
• We skirted round the muddy field. tree →
• The politician skirted the question about money. tree →
• Her skirt swirled as she danced. tree →
• The kilt is a kind of skirt worn by Scottish men. tree →
• Mum painted the skirting board white. tree →
• Wandering along the banks of the Tigris, they skirted a garden enclosed by a high wall. tree →

Note

Countable noun: a skirt, skirts. Verb: skirted, skirting; often «skirt (round/around) something». A Scottish kilt looks like a skirt but is traditional men's dress. In some schools anyone may wear a skirt; trousers are always allowed for girls.

In Jewish tradition

Skirt means the edge or hem of a garment. "Uncovering a father's skirt" is an old way of speaking of a forbidden marriage.

Interpretation. The law against uncovering a father's skirt is read as a ban on marrying one's father's wife. The robe of the high priest had pomegranates and bells at its hem.

Examples

• A man shall not take his father's wife, and shall not uncover his father's skirt. (Torah DEU.22.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he hath uncovered his father's skirt. (Torah DEU.27.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• And they made upon the skirts of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen. (Torah EXO.39.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• Therefore will I also uncover thy skirts upon thy face, and thy shame shall appear. (Prophets JER.13.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou shalt also take thereof a few by number, and bind them in thy skirts. (Prophets EZK.5.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. (Prophets 1SA.24.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable noun: a skirt, skirts. Verb: skirted, skirting; often «skirt (round/around) something». A Scottish kilt looks like a skirt but is traditional men's dress. In some schools anyone may wear a skirt; trousers are always allowed for girls.