scaddle
English
Alternative forms
- skaddle
Etymology
From Middle English scathel (“harmful”), from Old English *sceaþol, from Proto-Germanic *skaþulaz (“harmful”), equivalent to scathe + -el. Cognate with Old High German scadel (“injurious, harmful”), Gothic 𐍃𐌺𐌰𐌸𐌿𐌻𐍃 (skaþuls, “injurious, wicked”).
Adjective
scaddle (comparative more scaddle, superlative most scaddle)
- (UK, dialectal or obsolete) Wild, mischievous, thievish.
- (UK, dialectal or obsolete, chiefly of animals) Timid, nervous, skittish.
Related terms
- scatheful
- skedaddle
References
- Joseph Wright, editor (1905), “SCADDLE”, in The English Dialect Dictionary: […], volume V (R–S), London: Henry Frowde, […], publisher to the English Dialect Society, […]; New York, N.Y.: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, OCLC 81937840, page 231.
- 1670, John Ray, Collection of English proverbs - Devonshire