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skid  (skĭd)
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Tweet n. 1. The action of sliding or slipping over a surface, often sideways. 2. a. A plank, log, or timber, usually one of a pair, used as a support or as a track for sliding or rolling heavy objects. b. A pallet for loading or handling goods, especially one having solid sideboards and no bottom. c. One of several logs or timbers forming a skid road. 3. skids Nautical A wooden framework attached to the side of a ship to prevent damage, as when unloading. 4. A shoe or drag applying pressure to a wheel to brake a vehicle. 5. A runner in the landing gear of certain aircraft. 6. Informal a. A period of sharp decline or repeated losses: Bad economic news sent the markets into a skid. The win ended the team's four-game skid. b. skids A path to ruin or failure: His career hit the skids. Her life is now on the skids. v. skid·ded, skid·ding, skids v.intr. 1. To slide, especially roughly or heavily: The crate broke loose and skidded across the slanting deck. 2. a. To slide sideways while moving because of loss of traction: The truck skidded on a patch of ice. b. To slide from forward momentum, especially during an attempt to stop: braked hard and skidded to a stop. See Synonyms at slide. 3. To move sideways in a turn because of insufficient banking. Used of an airplane. 4. Informal To fall or decline sharply: "That news immediately sent bonds skidding to new lows" (Wall Street Journal). v.tr. 1. To brake (a wheel) with a skid. 2. To haul on a skid or skids. [Perhaps of Scandinavian origin.] |
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