Scotch
proper nounnounadjectivecommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//skɒt͡ʃ//
- United States//skɑt͡ʃ//
The opening 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4.
proper noun
- 1
datedThe Scots language.
But Rob was just saying what a shame it was that folk should be shamed nowadays to speak Scotch – or they called it Scots if they did, the split-tongued sourocks!
- 2
datedThe Scottish dialect of English.
- 3
datedThe people of Scotland.
The Scotch are a hardy bunch.
- 4
informalThe opening 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4.
Karpov played the Scotch against Anand.
Etymology
From Middle English *Scoche (attested in Scocheman, whence Scotchman), a contraction of Scottich, whence Scottish. The chess opening is supposedly named after a correspondence game between Edinburgh, Scotland, and London, England. Doublet of Scottish and schottische.
noun
- 1
Whisky distilled in Scotland, especially from malted barley.
Paul has drunk a lot of Scotch.
- 2
Any variety of Scotch.
My favorite Scotches are Glenlivet and Laphroaig.
- 3
A glass of Scotch.
Gimme a Scotch.
adjective
- 1
datedOf or from Scotland; Scottish.
Behind all his assumed unsocialism there lay a true warm heart; nor could anything be kindlier than the welcome which, whenever they did come to him, any of his Scotch relatives received.
our landlord informed us, with a sort of apologetic tone, that there was a Scotch gentleman to dine with us.
Forms
- plural
- Scotches