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scatheful. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
scatheful, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
scatheful in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
scatheful you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From Middle English *scatheful (attested in derivative unnskaþefull), from Old English sceaþful (“hurtful”), equivalent to scathe + -ful. Cognate with Scots scathfull, scaithful (“harmful, hurtful, injurious, damaging”).
Adjective
scatheful (comparative more scatheful, superlative most scatheful)
- (archaic) Causing harm or mischief; destructive, injurious.
- Synonym: harmful
c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, , page 272:A bawbling Veſſell was he Captaine of,
For ſhallow draught and bulke vnprizable,
With which ſuch ſcathfull grapple did he make,
With the moſt noble bottome of our Fleete,
That very enuy, and the tongue of loſſe
Cride fame and honor on him: What's the matter?
Derived terms