Scold

Part of speech: verb, noun

Pronunciation: /skəʊld/

Definitions

1. To speak angrily to someone for doing something wrong or inappropriate
2. To express sharp disapproval or criticism towards a person’s behavior
3. To rebuke someone in a harsh or stern manner for their actions

Etymology: The noun "scold" first appeared in Middle English in the 12th or 13th century, and its most striking link is to the Norse poets. Old Norse "skald" meant "poet", and skalds sometimes composed sharp, insulting verse aimed at rivals and patrons. Many scholars think the English noun came from that Scandinavian word, with the sense of a biting, critical poet narrowing over time into a person who nags and rebukes. The alternative view is that English, Norse, German and Dutch words all descend from a single Proto-Germanic verb, "*skeldaną", meaning "scold". On this account the Norse poet's name and the English word are cousins rather than parent and child. Modern German "schelten" and Dutch "schelden" preserve the same root meaning. The verb "scolden" is attested in the late 1300s, and it was formed from the noun. Its sense stayed close to the noun's, both suggesting a harsh, sustained flow of reproach.

Synonyms: rebuke, chide, reprimand, admonish, berate

Antonyms: praise, commend, applaud, laud, extol