Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Of or relating to Scotland: Pertaining to the country of Scotland, its territory, or its national identity.
   • Of or relating to the people of Scotland: Characteristic of the inhabitants of Scotland.
   • Of or relating to the culture of Scotland: Associated with the traditions, arts, and social practices of Scotland.
   • Of or relating to the English dialect or Gaelic language of Scotland: Concerning the linguistic forms native to Scotland.

2. Noun:

   • The dialect of English used in Scotland: The variety of the English language spoken in Scotland, often called Scots.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She loves listening to Scottish folk music.
  • The Scottish Highlands are known for their dramatic landscapes.
  • He has a strong Scottish accent.

• Noun:

  • The poem was written in broad Scottish.
  • Some words in Scottish, like "bairn" for child, differ from standard English.

Advanced Usage

• "Scottish" vs. "Scotch": The term "Scottish" is the standard, formal, and preferred adjective for most contexts relating to Scotland. "Scotch" is considered dated or offensive by many Scottish people when referring to people or general cultural items, though it remains in fixed phrases like "Scotch whisky."
  • Preferable: Scottish history, a Scottish poet.
  • Fixed Use: a glass of Scotch whisky, Scotch broth.

Variants and Related Words

• Scots (adj. & n.): Often used interchangeably with "Scottish," particularly for the people and the language/dialect.
  • Scots law is distinct from English law.
• Scotch (adj.): Largely restricted to specific traditional products (e.g., Scotch whisky, Scotch egg). Its use for people is generally avoided.
• Scot (n.): A person from Scotland.
  • He is a proud Scot.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Caledonian (poetic/literary), Scots.
• Noun: Scots, Lallans (a term for the Lowland Scots dialect).

Related Phrases

• Scottish Gaelic: The Celtic language of Scotland, distinct from the Scots dialect of English.
  • She is learning Scottish Gaelic.
• Scottish National Party (SNP): A major political party in Scotland.
• Scottish Parliament: The devolved legislature of Scotland.

Adjective

1. 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. the dialect of English used in Scotland