Loading the census…
Tap any rung for its meaning.
The H is a stepping stone — borrowed at rung 1 to keep share a real word, then given back at rung 4. There may be several par routes — the census above shows which ones climbers actually took.
To frighten someone suddenly.
From Old Norse 'skirra', meaning to frighten or to avoid, related to 'skjarr' meaning timid or shy. The word came into English through Scandinavian influence during the Viking age. It is related to the word 'scarecrow'.
Full entry on Wiktionary ↗Smooth and glossy, or done in a clever and effortless way.
Probably from Old Norse 'slíkr' meaning smooth, or related to Old English 'slician' meaning to make smooth. It is thought to share roots with 'sleek,' which has a similar meaning. The word has long described smooth surfaces and, later, smooth performances.
Full entry on Wiktionary ↗Definitions give each word’s most common meaning — the full entries live at Wiktionary.