scutch

American  

[skuhch] / skʌtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to dress (flax) by beating.

2. Also to dress (brick or stone).

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noun

1. Also called scutcher.  a device for scutching flax fiber.

2. Also a small picklike tool with two cutting edges for trimming brick.

scutch ¹ British  

/ skʌtʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to separate the fibres from the woody part of (flax) by pounding

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noun

1. Also called: scutcher.  the tool used for this

scutch ² British  

/ skʌtʃ /

verb

1. dialect to strike with an open hand

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Etymology

Origin of scutch

1680–90; < Middle French *escoucher ( French écoucher ) to beat flax < Vulgar Latin *excuticāre, for Latin excutere ( ex- ex- ¹ + -cutere, combining form of quatere to shatter; quash )

Example Sentences

It is a native of Southern Europe, but is now wideÏspread in warm countries; Ð called also scutch grass, and in Bermuda, devil grass.

From Project Gutenberg

Scutch′er, one who dresses hedges: an implement used in scutching, esp. a beater in a flax-scutching machine, &c.;

From Project Gutenberg

Scutch, skuch, v.t. to beat: to separate from the core, as flax.—n. a coarse tow that separates from flax in scutching.—ns.

From Project Gutenberg

Scutch′ing-sword, a beating instrument in scutching flax by hand.

From Project Gutenberg

“When pairruts speak Scutch deealect, it’s time we Scuts gae it oop,” said Tammas.

From Project Gutenberg