a. [ Written also skilful. ] 1. Discerning; reasonable; judicious; cunning. [ Obs. ] “Of skillful judgment.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Possessed of, or displaying, skill; knowing and ready; expert; well-versed; able in management; as, a skillful mechanic; -- often followed by at, in, or of; as, skillful at the organ; skillful in drawing. [ 1913 Webster ]
And they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skillful of lamentations to wailing. Amos v. 16. [ 1913 Webster ]
Syn. -- Expert; skilled; dexterous; adept; masterly; adroit; clever; cunning. [ 1913 Webster ]
-- Skill"ful*ly, adv. -- Skill"ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]