definitions

scathe

[ skeyth ]
/ skeɪð /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR scathe ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), scathed, scath·ing.

to attack with severe criticism.
to hurt, harm, or injure, as by scorching.

noun

hurt, harm, or injury.

RELATED WORDS

blister, scourge, slap, attack, score, damn, scorch, slash, lash, pan, castigate, drub, excoriate, flay, lambaste, scarify, vilify

Nearby words

scat, scat singing, scat-, scatback, scatemia, scathe, scathing, scato-, scatological, scatology, scatoma

Origin of scathe

before 1000; (noun) Middle English scath(e), scade, schath(e) < Old Norse skathi damage, harm, cognate with Old English sc(e)atha malefactor, injury (with which the Middle English forms with sch- might be identified); (v.) Middle English scath(e), skath(e) < Old Norse skatha, cognate with Old English sceathian

Related forms

scathe·less, adjectivescathe·less·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for scathe

scathe

/ (skeɪð) /

verb (tr)

rare to attack with severe criticism
archaic, or dialect to injure

noun

archaic, or dialect harm

Derived Forms

scatheless, adjective

Word Origin for scathe

Old English sceatha; related to Old Norse skathi, Old Saxon scatho
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012