scotch

Etymology 1

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.

noun

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
   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

verb

1. (transitive) To cut or score; to wound superficially.
2. (transitive) To prevent (something) from being successful.
   The rain scotched his plans of going to the beach.
3. (transitive) To debunk or discredit an idea or rumor.
   The prime minister scotched rumors of his resignation.
4. (transitive) 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. (transitive) To dress (stone) with a pick or pointed instrument.
6. (transitive, textile manufacturing) To beat yarn in order to break up slugs and align the threads.
   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
7. (transitive, obsolete) To clothe or cover up.

Etymology 2

adj

1. Alternative form of Scotch (“Scottish”)

noun

1. Alternative form of Scotch (“whisky”)
   A waiter brought his aperitif, which was a small scotch and soda, and as he sipped it gratefully he sighed. 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 5, in The China Governess

Etymology 3

From 3M's Scotch tape.

noun

1. Scotch tape

verb

1. (transitive, Australian rhyming slang) To rape.