scold

[skohld] Origin

scold

[skohld]
verb (used with object)
1.
to find fault with angrily; chide; reprimand: The teacher scolded me for being late.
verb (used without object)
2.
to find fault; reprove.
3.
to use abusive language.

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Scold is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.
to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about.
noun
4.
a person who is constantly scolding, often with loud and abusive speech.

Origin:
1150–1200; (noun) Middle English, variant of scald < Old Norse skald poet (as author of insulting poems); see skald; (v.) Middle English scolden, derivative of the noun

scold·a·ble, adjective
scold·er, noun
scold·ing·ly, adverb
out·scold, verb (used with object)
un·scold·ed, adjective


1. reprove; censure. See reproach.


1. praise.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
scold (skəʊld)
 
vb
1.  to find fault with or reprimand (a person) harshly; chide
2.  (intr) to use harsh or abusive language
 
n
3.  a person, esp a woman, who constantly finds fault
 
[C13: from Old Norse skald]
 
'scoldable
 
adj
 
'scolder
 
n
 
'scolding
 
n
 
'scoldingly
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

scold
mid-12c., "person of ribald speech," also "person fond of abusive language," from O.N. skald "poet" (see skald). The sense evolution may reflect the fact that Gmc. poets (like their Celtic counterparts) were famously feared for their ability to lampoon and mock (e.g. skaldskapr
EXPAND
"poetry," also, in Icelandic law books, "libel in verse"). From the beginning, used especially of women. The verb is attested from late 14c.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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