v. i. [imp. & p. p.Skippedp. pr. & vb. n.Skipping.] [OE. skippen, of uncertain origin; cf. Icel. skopa run, skoppa to spin like a top, OSw. & dial. Sw. skimmpa to run, skimpa, skompa, to hop, skip; or Ir. sgiob to snatch, Gael. sgiab to start or move suddenly, to snatch, W. ysgipio to snatch.] 1. To leap lightly; to move in leaps and hounds; — commonly implying a sportive spirit. “The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day, Had he thy reason, would he skip and play?” Pope. “So she drew her mother away skipping, dancing, and frisking fantastically.” Hawthorne. 2. Fig.: To leave matters unnoticed, as in reading, speaking, or writing; to pass by, or overlook, portions of a thing; — often followed by over.