- skate⇄expr. skate on thin ice, to take a risky or dangerous course.
Ex. A handful of savings and loan associations in the state are also known to be skating on thin ice (Wall Street Journal). - skate⇄noun 1. a frame with a blade fixed to a shoe so that a person can glide over ice; ice skate.
2. a similar frame or shoe with small wheels for use on any smooth, hard surface; roller skate. - skate⇄skate (1), noun, verb, skated,skating.
- skate⇄skate (2), noun, pl.skatesor (collectively)skate.
any one of several broad, flat fishes, usually having a pointed snout. A skate is a kind of ray. The barn-door skate and the thornback are two kinds. - skate⇄skate (3), noun.
(U.S. Slang.)
1. a term of contempt for an old, worn-out horse.
2. a fellow.
Ex. He's a good skate. Dave's a cheap skate, all right (Sinclair Lewis). - skate⇄v.i. 1. to glide or move along on skates.
2. to slide or glide along.
Ex. Insects skated on the water (Longfellow). (Figurative.) Many other savings institutions are skating close to their break-even points (Wall Street Journal). - skate⇄v.t. 1. to glide or move over (a surface) on skates.
2. to take part in (a contest or the like) by skating.