scotch

¹

[ skoch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to put a definite end to; crush; stamp out; foil:

   to scotch a rumor; to scotch a plan.

2. to cut, gash, or score.
3. to injure so as to make harmless.
4. to block or prop with a wedge or chock.

noun

1. a cut, gash, or score.
2. a block or wedge put under a wheel, barrel, etc., to prevent slipping.

scotch

²

[ skoch ]

verb (used with object)

, Masonry.

1. scutch ( defs 2, 4 ).

Scotch

³

[ skoch ]

adjective

1. (used outside of Scotland) of Scottish origin; resembling or regarded as characteristic of Scotland or the Scottish people:

   Scotch plaid.

2. Sometimes Offensive. of or relating to Scotland or its inhabitants; Scottish.
3. (usually lowercase) Informal. frugal; provident; thrifty.

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) Sometimes Offensive. the inhabitants of Scotland; the Scots.
2. (often lowercase) Scotch whisky.
3. Sometimes Offensive. the English language as spoken in Scotland; Scots.

scotch

¹

/ skɒtʃ /

verb

1. tr to block, prop, or prevent from moving with or as if with a wedge

noun

1. a block or wedge to prevent motion

Scotch

²

/ skɒtʃ /

adjective

1. See Scottish
   another word for Scottish

noun

1. the Scots or their language

scotch

³

/ skɒtʃ /

verb

1. to put an end to; crush

   bad weather scotched our plans

2. archaic.
   to injure so as to render harmless
3. obsolete.
   to cut or score

noun

1. archaic.
   a gash; scratch
2. a line marked down, as for hopscotch

Scotch

⁴

/ skɒtʃ /

noun

1. Also calledScotch whisky whisky distilled esp from fermented malted barley and made in Scotland
2. a type of relatively mild beer

Usage

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

Confusables Note

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scotch¹

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

Origin of scotch²

First recorded in 1585–95; syncopated variant of Scottish

Word History and Origins

Origin of scotch¹

C17: of obscure origin

Origin of scotch²

C15: of obscure origin

Example Sentences

So fix yourself a Scotch and listen to this episode of Life Behind Bars.

From The Daily Beast

He told Wired that he had snorted lines of cocaine and downed a bottle of Scotch each day at his desk at an information storage systems company called Omex.

From Washington Post

Silver’s death was announced by 3M — maker of products including Scotch tape — where he had worked for nearly three decades.

From Washington Post

For example, Dow Jones recently named Macallan the official scotch of Penta, a luxury and wealth sub-brand that’s now part of Barron’s.

From Digiday

Distillers of Scotch whisky — the Britain’s largest food and drink export last year — cheered the news that the 25 percent tariff would be cut to zero.

From Washington Post

The company recently partnered with Oakley to create a one-of-a-kind single malt Scotch flask.

From The Daily Beast

During the course of my time behind the bar I developed a passion for single malt Scotch.

From The Daily Beast

It represented everything about the kind of comfort and the little luxuries in life that a good glass of Scotch can afford us.

From The Daily Beast

And for Scotch in particular—which can spend decades in the barrel—wood is critical to the finished spirit.

From The Daily Beast

More than perhaps any other distiller of Scotch whisky, The Macallan understands the importance of color to a great whisky.

From The Daily Beast

They will reach you by the hands of Mr. Mackenzie, a worldly-minded Scotch merchant, but honest as to earthly things.

From Project Gutenberg

Highland gentlemen of every degree are mostly fond of Gillespie; while operatives from the Lowlands generally prefer plain Scotch.

From Project Gutenberg

George Gordon: Scotch birth, so far as can learn; left an orphan; lived mostly in London.

From Project Gutenberg

We had seen nothing just like it in England, though some of the Scotch villages which we saw later, matched it very well.

From Project Gutenberg

You will find these two traits in every grade of Scotch life—in tradesman, mechanic, and peasant.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bring down curtain
• bring to an end
• crush
• end
• nip in the bud
• put a stop to
• put an end to
• put paid to
• put the lid on
• squelch
• stamp out