Part 125

Scot, n. [Cf. L. Skoti, pl., AS. Scotta, pl. Skottas, Sceottas.] A native or inhabitant of Scotland; a Scotsman, or Scotchman.

Scot, n. [Icel. skot; or OF. escot, F. écot, LL. scottum, scotum, from a kindred German word; akin to AS. scot, and E. shot, shoot; cf. AS. sceótan to shoot, to contribute. See Shoot, and cf. Shot.] A portion of money assessed or paid; a tax or contribution; a mulct; a fine; a shot.

Scot and lot, formerly, a parish assessment laid on subjects according to their ability. [Eng.] Cowell. Now, a phrase for obligations of every kind regarded collectivelly.

Experienced men of the world know very well that it is best to pay scot and lot as they go along.

Emerson.

{ Scot"al (?), Scot"ale (?) }, n. [Scot + ale.] (O. Eng. Law) The keeping of an alehouse by an officer of a forest, and drawing people to spend their money for liquor, for fear of his displeasure.

Scotch (?), a. [Cf. Scottish.] Of or pertaining to Scotland, its language, or its inhabitants; Scottish.

Scotch broom (Bot.), the Cytisus scoparius. See Broom. -- Scotch dipper, or Scotch duck (Zoöl.), the bufflehead; -- called also Scotch teal, and Scotchman. -- Scotch fiddle, the itch. Sir W. Scott. -- Scotch mist, a coarse, dense mist, like fine rain. -- Scotch nightingale (Zoöl.), the sedge warbler. [Prov. Eng.] -- Scotch pebble. See under pebble. -- Scotch pine (Bot.) See Riga fir. -- Scotch thistle (Bot.), a species of thistle (Onopordon acanthium); -- so called from its being the national emblem of the Scotch.

Scotch, n. 1. The dialect or dialects of English spoken by the people of Scotland.

2. Collectively, the people of Scotland.

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.