scotch
1
[ skoch ]
/ skɒtʃ /
verb (used with object)
to put a definite end to; crush; stamp out; foil: to scotch a rumor; to scotch a plan.
to cut, gash, or score.
to injure so as to make harmless.
to block or prop with a wedge or chock.
noun
a cut, gash, or score.
a block or wedge put under a wheel, barrel, etc., to prevent slipping.
Words nearby scotch
Definition for scotch (2 of 3)
Definition for scotch (3 of 3)
Scotch
[ skoch ]
/ skɒtʃ /
adjective
(used outside of Scotland) of Scottish origin; resembling or regarded as characteristic of Scotland or the Scottish people: Scotch plaid.
Sometimes Offensive.
of or relating to Scotland or its inhabitants; Scottish.
(usually lowercase) Informal.
frugal; provident; thrifty.
noun
(used with a plural verb) Sometimes Offensive.
the inhabitants of Scotland; the Scots.
(often lowercase)
Scotch whisky.
Sometimes Offensive.
the English language as spoken in Scotland; Scots.
Origin of Scotch
First recorded in 1585–95; syncopated variant of
Scottish
usage note for Scotch
The natives of Scotland refer to themselves as
Scots or, in the singular,
Scot,
Scotsman, or
Scotswoman. The related adjectives are
Scottish or, less commonly,
Scots.
Scotch as a noun or adjective is objected to by the Scots except when used of whisky and in established phrases like
Scotch egg and
Scotch pine. In the United States,
Scotch is often used in inforrmal speech and writing where the Scots themselves, or some Americans of Scottish descent, would prefer
Scottish or
Scots. The term
Scotch-Irish is standard in the United States for the descendants of the Scots of Ulster who immigrated to America beginning in the 18th century.
Example sentences from the Web for scotch
British Dictionary definitions for scotch (1 of 4)
scotch
1
/ (skɒtʃ) /
verb (tr)
to put an end to; crush
bad weather scotched our plans
archaic
to injure so as to render harmless
obsolete
to cut or score
noun
archaic
a gash; scratch
a line marked down, as for hopscotch
Word Origin for scotch
C15: of obscure origin
British Dictionary definitions for scotch (2 of 4)
scotch
2
/ (skɒtʃ) /
verb
(tr)
to block, prop, or prevent from moving with or as if with a wedge
noun
a block or wedge to prevent motion
Word Origin for scotch
C17: of obscure origin
British Dictionary definitions for scotch (3 of 4)
usage for Scotch
In the north of England and in Scotland,
Scotch is not used outside fixed expressions such as
Scotch whisky. The use of
Scotch for
Scots or
Scottish is otherwise felt to be incorrect, esp when applied to people
British Dictionary definitions for scotch (4 of 4)
Scotch
2
/ (skɒtʃ) /
noun
Also called: Scotch whisky
whisky distilled esp from fermented malted barley and made in Scotland
Northeast English
a type of relatively mild beer