The word "skellied" is spelled with two L's and an I-E-D at the end. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈskɛli:d/. The first sound, /sk/, is made by pronouncing the S and K sounds together quickly. The middle sound, /ɛ/, is the "eh" vowel sound. The last two sounds, /li:d/, are pronounced together and represent the past tense form of the verb "skelly," meaning to search or look for something. So "skellied" means that someone has searched for or looked for something before.
Skellied is an adjective used to describe something that is displaying a protruding framework of bones or skeletal structure. This term is particularly used to describe a person or an animal that appears emaciated, gaunt, or exceptionally thin, revealing the bones prominently through the skin. It signifies a debilitated physical condition, often associated with malnutrition, illness, or a lack of nourishment.
The word "skellied" originates from the noun form "skelly," which means skeleton. Its usage indicates a state of extreme thinness, creating a vivid mental image of a figure whose bones are readily visible due to a significant loss of weight or muscle mass. Skellied can also be employed metaphorically to describe objects or concepts that are seemingly devoid of substance, appearing skeletal or bare.
In everyday language, skellied can be used to describe people suffering from severe illnesses, such as individuals affected by malnourishment or certain medical conditions that cause extreme weight loss. It can also be applied to sickly animals or creatures in dire physical condition.
Overall, skellied serves as a descriptive adjective that encapsulates the visual image of a skeletal appearance, denoting a state of extreme thinness due to various factors, and often implying weakness or fragility.
The word "skellied" is derived from the Middle English term "skell", which means "to run swiftly". In the early 16th century, the term "skellied" emerged as a past participle form of "skell", indicating someone or something that has been swiftly moved or travelled. Over time, "skellied" also came to mean something that is wiry, thin, or emaciated.