Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Thrifty, frugal, avoiding waste: Used informally to describe someone or something that is economical or careful with resources.
   • Of or relating to Scotland: Pertaining to its people, culture, or language. Note: This usage is often considered dated or informal outside of specific fixed phrases, with "Scottish" being the preferred modern term.

2. Noun:

   • A type of whiskey: Whiskey distilled in Scotland, especially from malted barley.
   • A slight surface cut or notch: A small incision, often used for keeping a tally.
   • A wedge or block: A device used to prevent movement, especially of a wheel.

3. Verb:

   • To make a small cut or score: To notch or scratch a surface lightly.
   • To hinder or prevent: To put an end to or frustrate plans, efforts, or desires.
   • To block or wedge: To prevent something, like a wheel, from moving by placing a block under it.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • He was scotch with his praise, giving compliments only when truly deserved. (He was sparing with his praise...)
  • They enjoyed a scotch meal that was both simple and satisfying. (...a frugal meal...)

• Noun (Whiskey):

  • He ordered a glass of fine single malt scotch.
• Noun (Cut/Notch):
  • The carpenter made a scotch in the wood to mark his measurement.

• Noun (Wedge):

  • Place a scotch under the wheel to keep the cart from rolling.

• Verb (To cut):

  • He scotched the metal plate to ensure it would break cleanly.
• Verb (To hinder):
  • The bad weather scotched our plans for a picnic.
• Verb (To block):
  • Remember to scotch the wheels before you start unloading the truck.

Advanced Usage

• "To scotch a rumor": To decisively stop a rumor from spreading.
  • The company issued a statement to scotch the rumors of a takeover.
• Frozen Phrases: The adjective "Scotch" remains in certain fixed expressions.
  • Scotch broth (a type of soup).
  • Scotch whiskey (the spirit).
  • Scotch plaid (a pattern).

Variants and Related Words

• Scottish (adj.): The more formal and generally preferred adjective relating to Scotland. (e.g., , ).
• Scots (adj.): Often used to refer to the Scottish dialect of English or its people. (e.g., , ).
• Scotch tape (n.): A brand name for transparent adhesive tape; a common compound that uses the word.
• Frugal (adj.): A close synonym for the "thrifty" meaning of the adjective .

Synonyms

• Verb (Hinder): Thwart, foil, frustrate, derail.
• Adjective (Thrifty): Economical, sparing, frugal, parsimonious.
• Noun (Whiskey): Whisky (specifically from Scotland).

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its verbal meanings are used directly.)

Related Idioms

• "Scotch the snake, not kill it": To injure or disable something dangerous without completely destroying it. (A literary allusion from Shakespeare's ).
  • The new regulations merely scotch the snake; they don't solve the root problem.

Adjective

1. avoiding waste
   • an economical meal
   • an economical shopper
   • a frugal farmer
   • a frugal lunch
   • a sparing father and a spending son
   • sparing in their use of heat and light
   • stinting in bestowing gifts
   • thrifty because they remember the great Depression
   • `scotch' is used only informally
2. of or relating to or characteristic of Scotland or its people or culture or its English dialect or Gaelic language
   • Scots Gaelic
   • the Scots community in New York
   • `Scottish' tends to be the more formal term as in `The Scottish Symphony' or `Scottish authors' or `Scottish mountains'
   • `Scotch' is in disfavor with Scottish people and is used primarily outside Scotland except in such frozen phrases as `Scotch broth' or `Scotch whiskey' or `Scotch plaid'

Noun

1. whiskey distilled in Scotland; especially whiskey made from malted barley in a pot still
2. a slight surface cut (especially a notch that is made to keep a tally)

Verb

1. make a small cut or score into
2. hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
   • What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge
   • foil your opponent