skewer
UK[ˈskjuːə(r)]US[ˈskjuːər]
n
a long, thin piece of metal or wood that is pushed through pieces of food to hold them together while they are being cooked
v
to push a sharp object through something
Etymology
the word 'skewer' entered english in the late medieval period, around the late 14th century, as a noun denoting a pin for fastening meat. its origin is uncertain, but it is likely derived from the old norman french word 'eskuire', which itself may be related to the old french 'escuer', meaning 'to avoid' or 'shun', possibly in the sense of a pin that keeps meat apart. another plausible theory connects it to a scandinavian source, such as the old norse 'skifa', meaning 'to cut or slice', hinting at its function with food. over time, the word solidified in english to refer specifically to the cooking implement and later, by the mid-17th century, acquired its verb sense, extending the core idea of piercing with a sharp stick.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form. it is not productively formed from separable english morphemes. its functional role is as a complete lexical unit.
Examples
he grilled the chicken and vegetables on a bamboo skewer.
the chef will skewer the shrimp before marinating them.
the critic's review seemed to skewer the director's latest film.