Scotch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scotched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Scotching.]
[Cf. Prov. E. scote a prop, and Walloon ascot a prop, ascoter to prop,
F. accoter, also Armor. skoaz the shoulder, skoazia to shoulder up, to
prop, to support, W. ysgwydd a shoulder, ysgwyddo to shoulder. Cf.
Scoat.] [Written also scoatch, scoat.] To shoulder up; to prop or block
with a wedge, chock, etc., as a wheel, to prevent its rolling or
slipping.
Scotch, n. A chock, wedge, prop, or other support, to prevent slipping;
as, a scotch for a wheel or a log on inclined ground.
Scotch, v. t. [Probably the same word as scutch; cf. Norw. skoka,
skoko, a swingle for flax; perhaps akin to E. shake.] To cut
superficially; to wound; to score.
We have scotched the snake, not killed it.
Shak.
Scotched collops (Cookery), a dish made of pieces of beef or veal cut
thin, or minced, beaten flat, and stewed with onion and other
condiments; -- called also Scotch collops. [Written also scotcht
collops.]
Scotch, n. A slight cut or incision; a score. Walton.
Scotch"-hop`per (?), n. Hopscotch.
Scotch"ing, n. (Masonry) Dressing stone with a pick or pointed
instrument.
Scotch"man (?), n.; pl. Scotchmen (&?;). 1. A native or inhabitant of
Scotland; a Scot; a Scotsman.
2. (Naut.) A piece of wood or stiff hide placed over shrouds and other
rigging to prevent chafe by the running gear. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Sco"ter (?), n. [Cf. Prov. E. scote to plow up.] (Zoöl.) Any one of
several species of northern sea ducks of the genus Oidemia.
The European scoters are Oidemia nigra, called also black duck, black
diver, surf duck; and the velvet, or double, scoter (O. fusca). The
common American species are the velvet, or white-winged, scoter (O.
Deglandi), called also velvet duck, white-wing, bull coot, white-winged
coot; the black scoter (O. Americana), called also black coot,
butterbill, coppernose; and the surf scoter, or surf duck (O.
perspicillata), called also baldpate, skunkhead, horsehead, patchhead,
pishaug, and spectacled coot. These birds are collectively called also
coots. The females and young are called gray coots, and brown coots.
Scot"-free" [?], a. Free from payment of scot; untaxed; hence, unhurt;
clear; safe.
Do as much for this purpose, and thou shalt pass scot-free.
Sir W. Scott.
Then young Hay escaped scot-free to Holland.
A. Lang.