Skill

The art of doing a thing as it ought to be done. Every person w'ho purports to have skill in a business, and undertakes for hire to perform it, is bound to do it with ordinary skill, and is responsible civilly in damages for the want of it; 11 M. & W. 4S3; and sometimes he is responsible criminally. See Physician; 2 Russ. Cr. 288. The degree of skill and diligence required rises in proportion to the value of the article and the delicady of the operation: more skill is required, for example, to repair a very delicate mathematical instrument, than upon a common instrument; Jones, Bailm. 91; 2 Kent 458, 463; Ayliffe, Pand. 466; 1 Rolle Abr. 10; Story, Bailm. § 431; 2 Greenl. Ev. § 144.

Practical and familiar knowledge of the principles and processes of an art, science or trade, combined with the ability to apply them in practice in a proper and approved manner and with readiness and dexterity. See Dole v. Johnson, 50 N. H. 454; Abridge v. Noble, 114 Ga. 949, 41 S. E. 78; Graham v. Gautier, 21 Tex. 119; Haworth v. Severs Mfg. Co., 87 Iowa, 765, 51 N. W. 68.

— Reasonable shill. Such skill as is ordinarily possessed and exercised by persons of common capacity, engaged in the same business or employment. Mechanics' Bank v. Merchants' Bank, 6 Mete. (Mass.) 26.

— Skilled witnesses. Witnesses who are allowed to give evidence on matters of opinion and abstract fact.

See Care; Contract, Implied; Expert; Game, 2; Invention.

contracts. The art of doing a thing as it ought to be done. Every person who purports to have skill in a business, and undertakes for hire to perform it, is bound to do it with ordinary skill, and is responsible civilly in damages for the want of it, and sometimes he is responsible criminally. Vide Mala Praxis; 2 Russ. on Cr. 288. The degree of skill and diligence required, rises in proportion to the value of the article, and the delicacy of the operation: more skill is required, for example, to repair a very delicate mathematical instrument, than upon a common instrument. Jones's Bailm. 91; 2 Kent, Com. 458, 463; 1 Bell's Com. 459; 2 Ld. Raym. 909, 918; Domat, liv. 1, t. 4, § 8, n. 1; Poth. Louage, n. 425; Pardess. n. 528; Ayl. Pand. B. 4, t. 7, p. 466; Ersk. Inst. B. 3, t. 3, § 16; 1 Rolle, Ab. 10; Story's Bailm. § 431, et seq.