[ noun ] the act of damaging something or someone <noun.act>
Scathe \Scathe\ (sk[=a][th]; 277), Scath \Scath\ (sk[a^]th; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scathed} (sk[=a][th]d or sk[a^]tht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Scathing} (sk[=a][th]"[i^]ng or sk[a^]th"-).] [Icel. ska[eth]a; akin to AS. scea[eth]an, sce[eth][eth]an, Dan. skade, Sw. skada, D. & G. schaden, OHG. scad[=o]n, Goth. ska[thorn]jan.] To do harm to; to injure; to damage; to waste; to destroy.
As when heaven's fire Hath scathed the forest oaks or mountain pines. --Milton.
Strokes of calamity that scathe and scorch the soul. --W. Irving.
Scath \Scath\ (sk[a^]th; 277), n. [Icel. ska[eth]i; akin to Dan. skade, Sw. skada, AS. scea[eth]a, sca[eth]a, foe, injurer, OS. ska[eth]o, D. schade, harm, injury, OHG. scade, G. schade, schaden; cf. Gr. 'askhqh`s unharmed. Cf. {Scathe}, v.] Harm; damage; injury; hurt; waste; misfortune. [Written also {scathe}.]
But she was somedeal deaf, and that was skathe. --Chaucer.
Great mercy, sure, for to enlarge a thrall, Whose freedom shall thee turn to greatest scath. --Spenser.
Wherein Rome hath done you any scath, Let him make treble satisfaction. --Shak.