SCALD, v.t. [L. caleo, caida, calidus. I suppose the primary sense of caleo is to contract, to draw, to make hard.] 1. To burn or painfully affect and injure by immersion in or contact with a liquor of a boiling heat, or a heat approaching it; as, to scald the hand or foot. We scald the part, when the heat of the liquor applied is so violent as to injure the skin and flesh. Scald is sometimes used to express the effect of the heat of other substances than liquids.Here the blue flames of scalding brimstone fall.2. To expose to a boiling or violent heat over a fire, or in water or other liquor; as, to scald meat or milk.SCALD, n. [supra.] A burn, or injury to the skin and flesh by hot liquor. SCALD, n. Scab; scurf on the head. SCALD, a. Scurvy; paltry; poor; as scald rhymers. SCALD, n. Among the ancient Scandinavians, a poet; one whose occupation was to compose poems in honor of distinguished men and their achievements, and to recite and sing them on public occasions. The scalds of Denmark and Sweden answered to the bards of the Britons or Celts.
|
