skate

Skate is a common name for several species of cartilaginous fishes in the order Rajiformes. They are flat, ray-like swimmers with broad, wing-shaped pectoral fins and a long, whip-like tail. Most skates have eyes on the top side and gill slits on the underside. They inhabit continental shelves and upper slopes in temperate and subtropical seas, often on soft substrates. Most species are oviparous, laying egg capsules known as mermaid’s purses that wash ashore or are scavenged by other animals. Skates feed primarily on invertebrates such as crustaceans and mollusks, and occasionally small fish. Some species are valued as seafood, and fishing pressure has led to declines in certain populations; conservation status varies by species and region.

Skateboarding is a sport and cultural activity that uses a four-wheeled skateboard to perform tricks, ride ramps, and travel on streets. It emerged in the 1940s and 1950s in California as a way to surf on land, evolving with changes in board construction and street environments. Modern skateboards use a wooden or composite deck, metal trucks, and polyurethane wheels. The activity encompasses diverse styles, including street, park, and vert skating, and has grown into a competitive discipline with international organizations and events such as the X Games and the Olympic Games.

Skate also functions as a general verb meaning to glide smoothly on a surface, with or without ice. In everyday language, to skate can imply moving quickly or slipping past a problem or obstacle. The term is widely used in branding, place names, and idiomatic expressions.