Definition of scold

The origin of the word "scold" can be traced back to Old English, specifically the word "scoldan," which meant "to rebuke" or "reprove." This Old English term was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "skelq-," which meant "sharp-tongued." The Old Norse word "skella" had a similar meaning, "to chide" or "revile." The Old English word "scoldan" and the Old Norse word "skella" share a common linguistic ancestor in Proto-Germanic, which gives further support to the idea that "scold" and its cognates in related Germanic languages have roots in Germanic languages that predate the historical separation of English and Norse. The word "scold" itself is derived from the Middle English word "scolde," which meant "fury" or "anger," and "scold" retained this sense until the mid-16th century, when it began to focus more specifically on forms of public reprimand. The meaning of "scold" eventually evolved to refer to a person who was frequently given to scolding, or rebuking, particularly women, who were stereotypically portrayed as inherently "sharp-tongued" and quick to anger. Overall, the etymology of "scold" highlights the persistence of Old English and Old Norse linguistic forms and illustrates the close relationships between these related Germanic languages.