(n): a depression scratched or carved into a surface
(n): whiskey distilled in Scotland; especially whiskey made from malted barley in a pot still
(n): a liquor made from fermented mash of grain
(v): hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
(v): keep from happening or arising; make impossible
(v): make a small cut or score into
(v): make small marks into the surface of
(adj): of or relating to or characteristic of Scotland or its people or culture or its English dialect or Gaelic language
(adj): avoiding waste
(adj): vs. wasteful) -- (careful and diligent in the use of resources
As a half-Scot: Wow.
"But with conservative Republicans denouncing the plan as an affront to free market capitalism and some liberal Democrats criticizing it as a giveaway to Wall Street, both parties were anxiously starting to court votes, particularly in the House, where angry Republicans nearly scotched a deal that had been in the works for days."
The New York Times, Consensus on Rescue Plan Is Said to Be Near, by David M. Herszenhorn and Carl Hulse, September 27, 2008
Distinct from Scots, this 15th century word means to scratch, cut or score on the ground which is how hopscotch was played before kids got their hands on chalk. Butterscotch is similarly named for its scoring or cutting into squares. See scot-free and to scotch a rumor. --from the OED