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

All in all, he took 36 wickets in 16 first-class matches and 23 scalps in 20 List A games.

From BBC

While a hat-trick against West Indies earlier this year added to the list of achievements, it is six scalps on debut that have gone down in Australian sporting legend.

From BBC

Bitcoin is not something you scalp between Fed meetings.

From MarketWatch

Whatever the arguments over individual crises, we live in a 'hunting for a scalp' media culture.

From BBC

They can last from a couple of minutes to days and the pain can be sharp, dull, throbbing or stabbing and sometimes spread beyond your head to your scalp, face or even your neck.

From BBC