I. ˈskāth noun
also scath ˈskath
( plural scathes )
Etymology: Middle English scath, skathe, from Old Norse skathi; akin to Old English sceatha malefactor, injury, Old High German scado damage, injury, harm, Gothic skathis, Greek askēthēs unharmed
1. : harm , injury , damage
all the British bombers were able to return safely to their base … without scathe — Manchester Guardian Weekly
2. chiefly dialect : a source of regret : pity , misfortune
II. transitive verb
also scath “
( scathed ; scathed ; scathing ; scathes also scaths )
Etymology: Middle English scathen, skathen, from Old Norse skatha; akin to Old English sceathian to injure, Old High German scadōn; denominative from the root of Old English sceatha injury
1. : to do harm to : injure , damage ; specifically : to injure by scorching or withering with fire or lightning
a giant oak which heaven's fierce flame had scathed — P.B.Shelley
2. : to assail with withering denunciation
bombarding her with rhetoric and … scathing her with sarcasm — Jean Stafford