/skoch/ , adj.
1. of Scottish origin; resembling or regarded as characteristic of Scotland or the Scottish people (used outside Scotland): Scotch plaid.
2. Sometimes Offensive. Scottish (def. 1).
3. ( usually l.c. ) Informal. frugal; provident; thrifty.
n.
4. ( used with a pl. v. ) Sometimes Offensive. the Scottish people; Scots.
5. ( often l.c. ) See Scotch whisky .
6. Sometimes Offensive. Scots (def. 1).
[ 1585-95; syncopated var. of SCOTTISH ]
Usage . The natives of Scotland refer to themselves as SCOTS or, in the singular, SCOT, SCOTSMAN, or SCOTSWOMAN. The related adjectives are SCOTTISH or, less commonly, SCOTS. SCOTCH as a noun or adjective is objected to except when used of whisky and in established phrases like Scotch egg and Scotch pine. In the United States, SCOTCH is often used where the Scots themselves, or some Americans of Scottish descent, would prefer SCOTTISH or SCOTS. The term SCOTCH-IRISH is standard in the United States for the descendants of the Scots of Ulster who immigrated to America beginning in the 18th century.