skep: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Extremely RareHistorical / Technical (Beekeeping)
Quick answer
What does “skep” mean?
A traditional beehive made of straw or wicker, in the shape of a dome or upturned basket.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional beehive made of straw or wicker, in the shape of a dome or upturned basket.
By extension, any basket-like container, particularly one of simple, rustic construction, or historically, a measure for grain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is equally rare and specialised in both varieties. The word is historically part of the Germanic root stock of English.
Connotations
Both varieties share the same connotations of tradition, antiquity, and rustic simplicity.
Frequency
Virtually never encountered outside of specific historical or beekeeping texts in either dialect.
Grammar
How to Use “skep” in a Sentence
The beekeeper placed a new [skep] in the orchard.They kept bees in a traditional [straw skep].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “skep” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (historical) To measure grain using a skep.
American English
- (historical) To measure grain using a skep.
adjective
British English
- The skep beekeeping method is rarely practiced today.
American English
- Skep beekeeping is a historical practice.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical or agricultural history texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used in apiculture (beekeeping) to refer to traditional hive types.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skep”
- Using it to refer to any modern beehive.
- Misspelling as 'scep' or 'schep'.
- Assuming it is in common usage.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare word, used only in historical contexts or specific discussions of traditional beekeeping.
No, it is inaccurate. 'Skep' specifically denotes a traditional, often dome-shaped hive made of straw or wicker. Modern hives are called 'beehives', 'hives', or by their specific design names (e.g., Langstroth hive).
It comes from Old Norse 'skeppa', meaning a basket or a measure for grain. This reflects its historical dual use as a container and a unit of measurement.
Primarily a noun. Historically, it could be used as a verb meaning 'to measure with a skep', but this usage is now obsolete.
A traditional beehive made of straw or wicker, in the shape of a dome or upturned basket.
Skep is usually historical / technical (beekeeping) in register.
Skep: in British English it is pronounced /skɛp/, and in American English it is pronounced /skɛp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The word is too rare to form idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SKEP sounds like SKIP. Imagine a bee SKIPPING into a small, round, straw SKEP instead of a large, modern hive.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR LIVING THINGS (specifically, a community/organism).
Practice
Quiz
In a historical text about farming, the word 'skep' most likely refers to: