Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†MOTCH, v., n. [motʃ]
I. v. To eat away unobtrusively and slowly; to waste or consume imperceptibly (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 115). Vbl.n. motchan, eating or wasting away imperceptibly (Ib.). Ppl.adj. motchin, fond of surreptitiously eaten dainties (Ib.).
II. n. The consuming of dainty morsels of food in a surreptitious manner; the using of anything in a wasteful and thriftless manner without putting it to any real service (Ib.).
[Orig. doubtful, phs. imit., influenced by Mote, v.2, munch and mooch.]
