scalp

American  

[skalp] / skælp /

noun

1. the integument of the upper part of the head, usually including the associated subcutaneous structures.

2. a part of this integument with the accompanying hair, severed from the head of an enemy as a sign of victory, as by some North American Indians and others during the colonial and frontier periods in the U.S.

3. any token of victory.

4. the integument on the top of the head of an animal.

5. Informal. a small profit made in quick buying and selling.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cut or tear the scalp from.

2. Informal.

   1. to resell (tickets, merchandise, etc.) at higher than the official rates.

   2. to buy and sell (stocks) so as to make small quick profits.

3. to plane down the surfaces of (an ingot, billet, or slab).

verb (used without object)

1. Informal. to scalp tickets, stocks, or the like.

scalp British  

/ skælp /

noun

1. anatomy the skin and subcutaneous tissue covering the top of the head

2. (among North American Indians) a part of this removed as a trophy from a slain enemy

3. a trophy or token signifying conquest

4. hunting a piece of hide cut from the head of a victim as a trophy or as proof of killing in order to collect a bounty

5. informal a small speculative profit taken in quick transactions

6. dialect a projection of bare rock from vegetation

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verb

1. to cut the scalp from

2. informal to purchase and resell (securities) quickly so as to make several small profits

3. informal to buy (tickets) cheaply and resell at an inflated price

Other Word Forms

• scalper
  noun
• scalpless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of scalp

1250–1300; Middle English (north) (noun), perhaps < Old Norse skālpr sheath (hence, metaphorically a covering)

Example Sentences

The United Kingdom and France already supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow and Scalp long-range missiles, while Ukraine also produces its own Flamingo and Neptune missiles.

From Barron's • Oct. 24, 2025

Trichologists Eva Proudman from UK Hair Consultants and Tracey Walker from Hair and Scalp Clinic, bust four common myths about how to look after your hair.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2025

The French have provided the Scalp, which is their variant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

Scalp treatments have been an integral part of wellness culture for centuries in many parts of Asia, including in China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2024

‘Well of course you can see! You cut your forehead when you hit that branch, and the blood got in your eyes. Scalp wounds bleed a lot. Didn’t you know that?’

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver