scotch

See also Scotch

English

Etymology

From Middle English scocchen (“to cut”), perhaps from Anglo-Norman escocher (“to notch”) , from es- (“intensive prefix”), from Latin ex- + Old French coche (“notch”)

Pronunciation

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɒtʃ

Adjective

scotch (comparative more scotch, superlative most scotch)

1. Of Scottish origin.

Usage notes

• The use of scotch rather than Scottish is generally limited to a few specific cases, such as scotch eggs, scotch plaid, etc. It may be considered incorrect usage in other combinations. It is usually capitalised Scotch.

Noun

scotch (plural scotches)

1. A surface cut or abrasion.
2. A line drawn on the ground, as one used in playing hopscotch.
3. A block for a wheel or other round object; a chock, wedge, prop, or other support, to prevent slipping.

   a scotch for a wheel or a log on inclined ground

   • 1913, D.H. Lawrence, Sons and Lovers, chapter 4

     He was like the scotch in the smooth, happy machinery of the home. And he was always aware of this fall of silence on his entry, the shutting off of life, the unwelcome.

4. Whisky of Scottish origin.

Translations

a surface cut

• Russian: надрез (ru) (nadréz) m, насечка (ru) (naséčka) f

a block for a wheel or other round object

• Russian: тормозной башмак (tormoznóy bašmák) m, клин (ru) (klin) m

Derived terms

• hopscotch

Verb

scotch (third-person singular simple present scotches, present participle scotching, simple past and past participle scotched)

1. (transitive) To cut or score; to wound superficially.
   • Shakespeare

     We have scotched the snake, not killed it.

2. (transitive) To prevent (something) from being successful.

   The rain scotched his plans of going to the beach.

3. (transitive) To debunk or discredit an idea or rumor.

   The prime minister scotched rumors of his resignation.

4. (transitive) To block a wheel or other round object.

   The workers stopped the rig on an incline and scotched the wheels.

5. (transitive, textile manufacturing) To beat yarn in order to break up slugs and align the threads.

   Yarn is scotched immediately after it has been dried and while it is still warm. [1]

6. (transitive, Australian rhyming slang) to rape
7. (transitive) To dress (stone) with a pick or pointed instrument.
8. (obsolete, transitive) To clothe or cover up.

Synonyms

• (prevent (something) from being successful): foil, put the kibosh on, thwart
• (block a wheel): chock, block

Translations

To prevent (something) from being successful

• German: blockieren (de), verhindern (de), durchkreuzen (de)
• Russian: пресечь (ru) (presech'), положить конец (ru) (polozhit' konets), прекратить (ru) (prekratit')

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French

Pronunciation

• IPA: /skɔtʃ/, X-SAMPA: /skOtS/

Etymology 1

From English scotch.

Noun

scotch m (plural scotchs)

1. scotch (whisky)

Etymology 2

From 3M's Scotch tape.

Noun

scotch m (usually uncountable)

1. Scotch tape, sticky tape

Derived terms

• scotcher