One of the mysteries of the English language finally explained.
A payment corresponding to a modern tax, rate, or other assessed contribution.
- ‘In fact, a scot or secot was a municipal tax in 12 th-century England and someone who went scot-free was one who succeeded in dodging the tax.’
Late Old English, from Old Norse skot ‘a shot’, reinforced by Old French escot, of Germanic origin; related to shot.
1A native of Scotland or a person of Scottish descent.
- ‘Later interviewed on holiday in Scotland, he had been offered hospitality by a Scot.’
- ‘Yet Chinese body language, mannerisms and accents are about as similar to Japanese as Australians are to the Scots.’
- ‘Although her art focuses on Scotland's industrial landscapes, Downie is not a native Scot.’
- ‘Single malt whisky was considered too heavy by the Scots, so by blending malt and grain whiskies Walker created a smoother drink.’
- ‘As a Scot I welcome a Scottish Prime Minister, whichever side of the political equation.’
- ‘I'm a Scot by birth living in Australia and writing about London detectives.’
- ‘It would be hard to think of two European nations more dissimilar, historically, than the Italians and the Scots.’
- ‘Blues used in tartan cloth originally came from the native plant woad, which was also used as a form of ceremonial face and body paint by ancient Scots.’
- ‘In her heat, the Scot equalled her British record mark, winning in 25.07 seconds.’
- ‘He fought for the armies of Russia, Poland and Sweden before joining the English in 1640 to fight the Scots.’
- ‘The Scot had moved to the US with his American father in 1992 after his parents divorced.’
- ‘It argues that Hepburn was a proud Scot who was loyal to his Queen and fought for Scottish independence.’
- ‘Above all, we need competition for places, if possible from native-born Scots.’
- ‘How much does an English international game matter to the Scots?’
- ‘The young Scot was ostracised by the Italian manager and cut adrift by his club.’
- ‘The popular Scot has the honour and responsibility of captaining the European team.’
- ‘This is the story of a young Scot of Pakistani descent and a young white woman of Irish descent.’
- ‘Both candidates are Scots, and have no hope of concealing the fact from the English electorate on whose votes they would rely at the General Election.’
- ‘On 22 July the English engaged the Scots under Wallace at Falkirk.’
- ‘A battle between the English and the Scots in a North Yorkshire beauty spot is set to be commemorated by a stone cross.’
- 1.1 A member of a Gaelic people that migrated from Ireland to Scotland around the late 5th century.
- ‘Ancient Scots and Picts erected a 10 ft tall standing stone at the site to commemorate the historic act.’
- ‘In 367, the Scots and Picts ignored agreements made with Rome and attacked the frontier.’
- ‘King Angus MacFergus of the Picts commanded a mixed army of Scots and Picts who were fighting an army of Saxons from Northumbria.’
- ‘The non-English parts of the UK have ten million Gaels, Celts, Picts, Irish, Scots and Vikings.’
- ‘It might be supposed, therefore, that the position of mormaer was a creation of the new Gaelic kingdom of the Scots.’
On the different uses of Scot, Scots, Scottish, and Scotch, see Scottish
Old English Scottas (plural), from late Latin Scottus, of unknown ultimate origin.
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