scotch
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to put a definite end to; crush; stamp out; foil.
to scotch a rumor; to scotch a plan.
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to cut, gash, or score.
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to injure so as to make harmless.
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to block or prop with a wedge or chock.
noun
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a cut, gash, or score.
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a block or wedge put under a wheel, barrel, etc., to prevent slipping.
verb (used with object)
adjective
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(used outside of Scotland) of Scottish origin; resembling or regarded as characteristic of Scotland or the Scottish people.
Scotch plaid.
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Sometimes Offensive. of or relating to Scotland or its inhabitants; Scottish.
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(usually lowercase) frugal; provident; thrifty.
noun
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(used with a plural verb) the inhabitants of Scotland; the Scots.
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(often lowercase) Scotch whisky.
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Sometimes Offensive. the English language as spoken in Scotland; Scots.
verb
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to put an end to; crush
bad weather scotched our plans
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archaic to injure so as to render harmless
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obsolete to cut or score
noun
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archaic a gash; scratch
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a line marked down, as for hopscotch
adjective
noun
noun
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Also called: Scotch whisky. whisky distilled esp from fermented malted barley and made in Scotland
-
a type of relatively mild beer
verb
noun
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
Commonly Confused
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.
Etymology
Origin of scotch1
1375–1425; late Middle English scocche (noun and v.), perhaps blend of score and notch (> Anglo-French escocher )
Origin of Scotch3
First recorded in 1585–95; syncopated variant of Scottish
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Other plots involve bandits, guns and an Indigenous tribe, the Cayuse, about to sign a treaty and a rebel faction out to scotch it.
From Los Angeles Times
On Wednesday morning Cuellar filed for re-election as a Democrat, scotching speculation that he might be poised to switch parties and pad the Republicans' narrow majority in the House.
From BBC
The profile described a man in the fullness of middle age, harvesting the benefits he had earned, drinking the best wines and single-malt scotch, driving appropriately luxurious but not ostentatious vehicles.
From Los Angeles Times
During the Vanity Fair interview, she also touched on being the subject of tabloid rumours, such as one linking her romantically to President Barack Obama, which she scotched last year on the Jimmy Kimmel show.
From BBC
Government sources have been scotching the suggestion that a formal review of the policy is under way.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
