scutch

[ skuhch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to dress (flax) by beating.
2. Also . to dress (brick or stone).

noun

1. Also called scutcher. a device for scutching flax fiber.
2. Also . a small picklike tool with two cutting edges for trimming brick.

scutch

¹

/ skʌtʃ /

verb

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

noun

1. Also calledscutcher the tool used for this

scutch

²

/ skʌtʃ /

verb

1. dialect.
   to strike with an open hand

Word History and Origins

Origin of scutch¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of scutch¹

C18: from obsolete French escoucher, from Vulgar Latin excuticāre (unattested) to beat out, from Latin ex- ¹+ quatere to shake

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

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