Skittish
/ˈskɪt.ɪʃ/noun
Easily startled, nervous, or hard to control.
Did you know?Skittish is related to the old Germanic root behind English words like shoot and shut, all tracing back to the idea of a rapid thrust or darting motion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skeud-
“to shoot, hurl, or drive forward”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*skeutaną
“to shoot, dart, or throw”
Old English
Old English
scēotan
“to shoot, dart, or move suddenly”
Middle English
English
skittish
“originally lively, brisk, or darting in movement”
Modern English
English
skittish
“easily frightened, nervous, or unpredictably lively”