Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - skirt

~1 n 1 a piece of outer clothing worn by women and girls, which hangs down from the waist like the bottom part of a dress  (She wore a white blouse and a plain black skirt.)  (- compare dress1 (1)) 2 also skirts the part of a dress or coat that hangs down from the waist 3 the skirts of a forest/hill/village etc the outside edge of a forest etc 4 a bit of skirt BrE informal an offensive expression meaning an attractive woman ~2 also skirt around ~ v 1 to go around the outside edge of a place or area  (The old footpath skirts around the village.) 2 to avoid talking about an important subject, especially because it is difficult or embarrassing  (a disappointing speech that skirted around all the main issues)