The Collaborative International Dictionary
Scutch \Scutch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scutched; p. pr. & vb. n. Scutching.] [See Scotch to cut slightly.]
To beat or whip; to drub. [Old or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
To separate the woody fiber from (flax, hemp, etc.) by beating; to swingle.
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To loosen and dress the fiber of (cotton or silk) by beating; to free (fibrous substances) from dust by beating and blowing.
Scutching machine, a machine used to scutch cotton, silk, or flax; -- called also batting machine.
Scutch \Scutch\, n.
A wooden instrument used in scutching flax and hemp.
The woody fiber of flax; the refuse of scutched flax. ``The smoke of the burning scutch.''
--Cuthbert Bede.
Wiktionary
Etymology 1 n. 1 An implement used to separate the fibres of flax by beating them. 2 The woody fibre of flax; the refuse of scutched flax. vb. 1 (context obsolete UK Scotland dialect English) To beat or whip; to drub. 2 To separate the woody fibre from (flax, hemp, etc.) by beating; to swingle. Etymology 2
n. A tuft or clump of grass.
WordNet
Usage examples of "scutch".
Beyond, a slope supporting a sparse growth of brown scutch and wire-weed descended to the lip of a great gorge.
If the brick to be shaped is a hard one it is placed on a V-shaped cutting block, an incision made where desired with the tin saw, and after the bolster and club-hammer have removed the portion of the brick, the scutch, really a small axe, is used to hack off the rough parts.
Beyond the towns and villages was nothing but rock and scutch, and eventually the sea.
Jackson linen mill, and Jamie watched in amazement the arduous labor, as the flax was hackled and scutched, and the peasant women toiled over great steaming kettles boiling the spun thread to purify it.
Syllabus and Examination Papers of the City and Guilds of London Institute -- Cultivation, Classification, Ginning, Baling and Mixing of the Raw Cotton -- Bale-Breakers, Mixing Lattices and Hopper Feeders -- Opening and Scutching -- Carding -- Indexes.
Folding tables and thick polychrome blankets spread on the trampled, uneven soil held bracelets and ornamental phis, flashing rings and cascading necklaces, graceful swords and straight-bladed, double-edged knives with grips of rare hardwoods or colored leathers, and hammers, axes, froes, and scutches.