Etymology From Middle English scocchen (“to cut”), perhaps from Anglo-Norman escocher (“to notch”), from es- (“intensive prefix”) (from Latin ex-) + Old French coche (“notch”). Not related to Scotch.
We have scotched the snake, not killed it.c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:
2
To prevent (something) from being successful.
The rain scotched his plans of going to the beach.
3
To debunk or discredit an idea or rumor.
The prime minister scotched rumors of his resignation.
Other declassified files from the 1960s show that the Northern Ireland government discussed a proposed tunnel to Scotland. Several district councils and a US firm, Technical Studies Inc, championed the idea, but Stormont officials scotched it as impractical and too expensive.2023 August 23, Rory Carroll, “Files reveal terms ministers were warned not to use in Northern Ireland”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
4
To block a wheel or other round object.
The workers stopped the rig on an incline and scotched the wheels.
The pantechnicon was running away. It had perceived the wrath to come and was fleeing. Its guardians had evidently left it imperfectly scotched or braked, and it had got loose.1911, Arnold Bennett, The Card: A Story of Adventure in the Five Towns, London: Methuen Publishing, OCLC 492063506; republished Toronto, Ont.: William Briggs, 1910s, OCLC 225424669, page 69
5
To dress (stone) with a pick or pointed instrument.
6
To beat yarn in order to break up slugs and align the threads.
Textile manufacturing
Yarn is scotched immediately after it has been dried and while it is still warm. http://www.google.com/patents?id=DXdGAAAAEBAJ&pg=PP3&vq=scotched&dq=scotching
Etymology From Middle English *Scoche (attested in Scocheman, whence Scotchman), a contraction of Scottich, whence Scottish. The chess opening is supposedly named after a correspondence game between Edinburgh, Scotland, and London, England.
1
Whisky distilled in Scotland, especially from malted barley.
Etymology From Middle English *Scoche (attested in Scocheman, whence Scotchman), a contraction of Scottich, whence Scottish. The chess opening is supposedly named after a correspondence game between Edinburgh, Scotland, and London, England.
Behind all his assumed unsocialism there lay a true warm heart; nor could anything be kindlier than the welcome which, whenever they did come to him, any of his Scotch relatives received.1801, William Hanna, Memoirs of the life and writings of Thomas Chalmers, page 422:
our landlord informed us, with a sort of apologetic tone, that there was a Scotch gentleman to dine with us.1817, Walter Scott, Rob Roy:
Etymology From Middle English scocchen (“to cut”), perhaps from Anglo-Norman escocher (“to notch”), from es- (“intensive prefix”) (from Latin ex-) + Old French coche (“notch”). Not related to Scotch.
1
A surface cut or abrasion.
2
A line drawn on the ground, as one used in playing hopscotch.
3
A block for a wheel or other round object; a chock, wedge, prop, or other support, to prevent slipping.
a scotch for a wheel or a log on inclined ground
He was like the scotch in the smooth, happy machinery of the home. And he was always aware of this fall of silence on his entry, the shutting off of life, the unwelcome.1913, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, chapter 4, in Sons and Lovers, London: Duckworth & Co. […], →OCLC:
2 more examples
In December, 1949, the Ashby to Worthington section of the former Midland Railway Ashby branch was divided into two portions by the insertion of a scotch block at Ticknall Siding, which requires both the tablet from Worthington and wooden staff from Ashby to unlock it and permit through working.1952 April, C. R. Clinker and Gordon Biddle, “Swannington and Ticknall Today”, in Railway Magazine, pages 264-265:
The cars are positioned and secured solely by simple scotches pegged into the decking of the vehicle and easily movable; [...].1964 November, “"Cartic 4"—BR's new two-tier car-carrier”, in Modern Railways, page 324: