scatheful

English

Alternative forms

• scathful
• scadeful (obsolete)

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)

1. (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[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], 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

• scathefulness