scaddle

English

Alternative forms

• skaddle

Etymology

From Middle English scathel (“harmful”), from Old English *sceaþol, from Proto-Germanic *skaþulaz (“harmful”), equivalent to scathe +‎ -el. Cognate with Old High German scadel (“injurious, harmful”), Gothic 𐍃𐌺𐌰𐌸𐌿𐌻𐍃 (skaþuls, “injurious, wicked”).

Adjective

scaddle (comparative more scaddle, superlative most scaddle)

1. (UK, dialectal or obsolete) Wild, mischievous, thievish.
2. (UK, dialectal or obsolete, chiefly of animals) Timid, nervous, skittish.

Related terms

• scatheful
• skedaddle

References

• Joseph Wright, editor (1905), “SCADDLE”, in The English Dialect Dictionary: […], volumes V (R–S), London: Henry Frowde, […], publisher to the English Dialect Society, […]; New York, N.Y.: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, →OCLC, page 231.
• 1670, John Ray, Collection of English proverbs - Devonshire