from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Scutch \Scutch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scutched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Scutching}.] [See {Scotch} to cut slightly.]
1. To beat or whip; to drub. [Old or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
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2. To separate the woody fiber from (flax, hemp, etc.) by
beating; to swingle.
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3. To loosen and dress the fiber of (cotton or silk) by
beating; to free (fibrous substances) from dust by beating
and blowing.
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{Scutching machine}, a machine used to scutch cotton, silk,
or flax; -- called also {batting machine}.
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