skill

Where does the word "skill" come from? It comes from Old Norse skil, and was adopted directly into English (1200s).

Skill’s story begins in Old Norse: skil meant “discernment, distinction.” Distinction, discernment, or the ability to reason well. It reached English by 1200s as skill. Settled as the word for a learned ability or expertise. Today, skill means the ability to do something well through practice or expertise.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval skil "discernment, distinction", distinction, discernment, or the ability to reason well.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1200s skill "a learned ability or expertise", settled as the word for a learned ability or expertise.