What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Scold vs Scald - What's the difference?

scold | scald |

In obsolete terms the difference between scold and scald

is that scold is a person fond of abusive language, in particular a troublesome and angry woman while scald is paltry; worthless.

As an adjective scald is

affected with the scab; scabby.

scold

English

Alternative forms

* scould (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (obsolete) A person fond of abusive language, in particular a troublesome and angry woman.

    • Related terms

    * scold's bridle

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To rebuke.
  • * 1813 , (Pride and Prejudice) , (Jane Austen)
    • A week elapsed before she could see Elizabeth without scolding her —
  • *
    • Molly the dairymaid came a little way from the rickyard, and said she would pluck the pigeon that very night after work. She was always ready to do anything for us boys; and we could never quite make out why they scolded her so for an idle hussy indoors. It seemed so unjust. Looking back, I recollect she had very beautiful brown eyes.

    Synonyms

    * objurgate * rebuke * threap * See also

    Anagrams

    * clods, colds

    scald

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl),

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To burn with hot liquid.
    • to scald the hand
  • * 1605 , , IV. vii. 48:
    • Mine own tears / Do scald like molten lead.
  • * Cowley
    • Here the blue flames of scalding brimstone fall.
  • (cooking) To heat almost to boiling.
    • Scald the milk until little bubbles form.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A burn, or injury to the skin or flesh, by hot liquid or steam.

    • Etymology 2

    Alteration of (scall).

    Noun

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Scaliness; a scabby skin disease.
  • * 1590 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , I.vii:
    • Her craftie head was altogether bald, / And as in hate of honorable eld, / Was ouergrowne with scurfe and filthy scald .
  • *, II.12:
    • Some heale Horses, some cure men, some the plague, some the scald .

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Affected with the scab; scabby.
  • * 1599 , , III. i. 110:
    • and let us knog our / prains together to be revenge on this same scald , scurvy, / cogging companion,
  • (obsolete) Paltry; worthless.
  • * 1598 , , V. ii. 215:
    • Saucy lictors / Will catch at us like strumpets, and scald rhymers / Ballad us out o' tune.

    Etymology 3

    Noun

    (en noun)
    • A war song such as was of yore chanted on the field of battle by the scalds of the yet heathen Saxons. — Sir Walter Scott.
    (Webster 1913)

    Anagrams

    * *

    References

    ----