Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Scald, adj. Also: skald, scauld; skawd; skade, scaid, skaid; scad. [e.m.E. scald (c1500), later spelling of ME scallede affected with the ‘scall’ (1529), contemptible (c1500). See also Scaldit ppl. adj.] Affected by a scabby disease of the skin or scalp; scabby, passing into an expression of general opprobrium or revulsion, foul, filthy. Also proverb.c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 58 (M) (see Scaldit ppl. adj.). 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2485 (B).
Howbeid I se thy skalp skyr skawd [Ch. skyre skaid] a1585 Polwart Flyt. 767 (T).
Gum gait gallit and scald [H. Gumgad bald skade] foul fawit quhy flait thow? Ib. 794, 795.
Hellis spark skald [H. scalded] clark … Scaid [H. Scad] scald, our bald 1604 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 111.
For sclandering the said William Sinclair, calling him ane skaid thaife, without ony liklines or probatioun 1620 Perth Kirk S. MS 24 Jan.
Cristane Jack to intertenye a pure skade litillone Urquhart Wks. Rabelais ii iii.
There were but three scauld, and one bald-pated legist in that placeproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 24.
A skade mans head is soon broken Ib. No. 69.
A skabbed horse is good enough for a skald [MS (No. 66) scalled] squir Ib. No. 375.
He cals me skabbed because I will not call him skade