Skate \Skate\, n. [Icel. skata; cf. Prov. G. schatten,
meer-schatten, L. squatus, squatina, and E. shad.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of large, flat elasmobranch
fishes of the genus Raia, having a long, slender tail,
terminated by a small caudal fin. The pectoral fins, which
are large and broad and united to the sides of the body and
head, give a somewhat rhombic form to these fishes. The skin
is more or less spinose.
Note: Some of the species are used for food, as the European
blue or gray skate (Raia batis), which sometimes
weighs nearly 200 pounds. The American smooth, or
barn-door, skate (R. l[ae]vis) is also a large
species, often becoming three or four feet across. The
common spiny skate (R. erinacea) is much smaller.
Skate's egg. See Sea purse.
Skate sucker, any marine leech of the genus Pontobdella,
parasitic on skates.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Skate \Skate\, n. [D. schaats. Cf. Scatches.]
A metallic runner with a frame shaped to fit the sole of a
shoe, -- made to be fastened under the foot, and used for
moving rapidly on ice.
Batavia rushes forth; and as they sweep, On sounding
skates, a thousand different ways, In circling poise,
swift as the winds, along, The then gay land is
maddened all to joy. --Thomson.
Roller skate. See under Roller.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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