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.

Origin of scotch

1
1375–1425; late Middle English scocche (noun and v.), perhaps blend of score and notch (> Anglo-French escocher)

Definition for scotch (2 of 3)

scotch 2
[ skoch ]
/ skɒtʃ /

verb (used with object), noun Masonry.

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.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH Scotch

Scot Scotch Scottish (see usage note at the current entry)

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)

Scotch 1
/ (skɒtʃ) /

adjective

another word for Scottish

noun

the Scots or their language

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