skate (1), scate, skeat

[Icel. skat a; Norw. skat a, from Lat. squat us, squat in a =a skate.] Ichthy.: The popular name of any individual of a section of the genus Raja (q.v.), differing from the Rays proper in having a long pointed snout. [RAY (3).] Raja bat is , the True Skate, is one of the commonest fishes in European waters, and attains a large size. The upper part of the body is dusky gray or mottled. The Long-nosed Skate ( R. vomer ), between four and five feet in length, has the snout exce ively prolonged. The Burton Skate ( R. margin at a ), is thicker and heavier than the True Skate, and is frequently eight feet long; the Shagreen Skate, or Ray ( R. fullonica ), is rather le than three feet long, and, as its flesh is soft and dry, is much le esteemed as a food-fish than the other species. "The yawl, which had been left upon the shoal, returned with three turtles and a large skate ."- Cook : First Voyage , bk. iii., ch. iv. An old skate : A term of contempt applied to a worthle person or animal; as, That horse is an old skate. skate barrows, s. pl. [SEA-PURSES.] skate-sucker, s. [PONTOBDELLA.] skāte (2), *scheets, *skeates, *scate, s. [Prop. skates (s.), with a pl. skateses, from Dut. schaatsen skates.] tes. A contrivance consisting of a steel run ner or ridge fixed either to a wooden sole with straps and buckles or laces, attached to fasten it to the boot, or to a light iron framework having clamps or other means of attachment to the boot, and used to enable a person to propel himself along the ice. [ROLLER-SKATE.] To have one's skates on: A western American ism indicating a readine or intention to go out on a frolic or debauch.