SKITTISHLY Meaning and
Definition
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Skittishly is an adverb that describes the behavior of being overly nervous, easily startled, or jumpy. It is used to describe someone or something that is excessively timid or fearful, often reacting quickly and anxiously to even minor stimuli or situations.
When someone is skittish, they may display a variety of physical and behavioral signs of unease. For example, a skittish person might fidget, have a rapid heartbeat, or sweat profusely when faced with unfamiliar or potentially intimidating circumstances. They might also be prone to sudden, involuntary movements, such as jumping or flinching, even in response to slight noises or slight movements nearby.
Similarly, skittish can be used to describe the behavior of animals. For instance, a skittish dog might shy away and retreat when approached, bark at the slightest noise, or display nervous pacing. Skittish animals may exhibit avoidance behaviors or even run away when confronted by unfamiliar people, objects, or environments.
Overall, skittishly suggests a state of heightened sensitivity, where a person or animal reacts excessively and anxiously to perceived threats or unexpected stimuli, often manifesting as nervousness, unease, and jumpy behavior.
Common Misspellings for SKITTISHLY
- skiddishly
- akittishly
- zkittishly
- xkittishly
- dkittishly
- ekittishly
- wkittishly
- sjittishly
- smittishly
- slittishly
- soittishly
- siittishly
- skuttishly
- skjttishly
- skkttishly
- skottishly
- salltishly
Etymology of SKITTISHLY
The word "skittishly" is derived from the base word "skittish". The etymology of "skittish" can be traced back to the Middle English word "skitish", which means "apt to start or shy away". This Middle English term is believed to be related to the Old Norse word "skyti", meaning "a missile, to shoot". Over time, "skitish" evolved to "skittish", with the suffix "-ly" added to form the adverbial form "skittishly". The word ultimately describes characteristics of being easily frightened, nervous, or jumpy.
Similar spelling words for SKITTISHLY
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