Origin: 1150–1200; Middle English skilien < Old Norse skilja to distinguish, divide, akin to skil (see skill1), Old English scylian to separate, Gothic skilja butcher, Lithuanian skélti to split
c.1175, "power of discernment," from O.N. skil "distinction, discernment," related to skilja (v.) "distinguish, separate," from P.Gmc. *skaljo- "divide, separate" (cf. M.L.G. schillen "to differ;" M.L.G., M.Du. schele "difference;" see shell). Sense of "ability, cleverness" first recorded c.1300.