Scathel

Alternative forms

• scaddle, skaddle dialectal

Origin

From Middle English scathel ("harmful"), from Old English *sceaþol, from Proto-Germanic *skaþulaz ("harmful"), equivalent to scathe + -le. Cognate with Old High German scadel ("injurious, harmful"), Gothic (skaþuls, "injurious, wicked").

Full definition of scathel

Adjective

1. Harmful; noxious; injurious; mischievous.
• 1880, Joseph Angus, The handbook of specimens of English literature:Many a lad there forth leapt, to lave and to cast
  Scopen out the scathel water that fayn scape wolde

Noun

1. Hurt; injury.

Related terms

• scatheful
• skedaddle