ð; a distinction is made between skíra (with í) = to purify, and skýra (with y) metaph. = to explain; but that both words are identical is shewn from the Goth.: [Ulf. skeirjan = ἑρμηνεύειν, skeireins = ἑρμηνεία, skeirs = clear]:—to cleanse, purify; s. silfr, Hkr. i. 185; þat skírir ok birtir augu, … þat bætir myrk augu ok skírir, Pr. 472, 473; skíra sik, to cleanse oneself.

2. of an oath or ordeal, to clear, purge; skíra sik með tylptar-eiði, Gþl. 151; ok skíri hón sik, ok handsala faðerni ef hón verðr skír, Lv. 77; er þó ván at þú skírir þik í hreinsunar-eldi, Fms. vii. 38.

II. eccl. [as translation of A. S. fullian = to cleanse], to baptize, christen; skíra barn, K. Þ. K., N. G. L., Fms., Nj., Bs., in countless instances, old and mod.

2. reflex. skírask, to be baptized; láta skírask, Jb. 10, Fms. i. 23, 129.