scatheful, a. arch.
(ˈskeɪðfʊl)
Forms: see scathe n.
[f. scathe n. + -ful. Cf. Ormin's unnskaþefull.]
Hurtful, harmful, injurious.
| c 900 tr. Gregory's Dial. 209 Swa þonne ᵹeweorðeð þæt we becumað þonne fram þam idlan wordum to þam sceaðfullum. 1375 Barbour Bruce v. 249 Gif the hapnys ony thing, That anoyus or scathfull be. 1513 Douglas æneis ii. i. 34 And sum, wondring, the skaithfull gift beheld. 1527 Andrew Brunswyke's Distyll. Waters B j b, This water..withdryveth the scadefull swellyng in the bely. 1586 Warner Alb. Eng. i. v. (1589) 15 Hercules..with skathfull strokes bestird his Club so well,..that [etc.]. 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. v. i. 59 With which such scathfull grapple did he make With the most noble bottome of our Fleete. 1855 Singleton Virg., Georg. i. I. 80 That scathful rust should prey upon its stalks. |