scupper
1Nautical. a drain at the edge of a deck exposed to the weather, for allowing accumulated water to drain away into the sea or into the bilges.: Compare freeing port.
a drain, closed by one or two flaps, for allowing water from the sprinkler system of a factory or the like to run off a floor of the building to the exterior.
any opening in the side of a building, as in a parapet, for draining off rainwater.
Origin of scupper
1Words Nearby scupper
Other definitions for scupper (2 of 2)
Origin of scupper
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use scupper in a sentence
That action has scuppered some of the IAB-backed group’s plans.
Activists are using ads to sneak real news to Russians about Ukraine | Chris Stokel-Walker | March 4, 2022 | MIT Technology ReviewDiscussions to make testing free were scuppered in order to push people to book vaccines.
Europe’s Brutal Fourth Wave Shows We’re Just Not Ready for Normal | Barbie Latza Nadeau | July 23, 2021 | The Daily BeastSupply issues could scupper recent gains in New Zealand and Australia.
In the race between variants and vaccines, rich Asia-Pacific countries finally start their sprint | Michael E. Miller | June 4, 2021 | Washington PostAs the equality movement found a renewed focus and determination, so its opponents ratcheted up their efforts to scupper it.
How Robin Williams’ Mrs. Doubtfire Won the Culture Wars | Tim Teeman | August 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe minister fears that now even lesser frictions could scupper the new agreement.
Taliban Slams Loya Jirga Bilateral Security Agreement | Ron Moreau & Sami Yousafzai | November 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The combers were crashing over the weather rail in solid cascades, and the scupper-ports were not large enough to carry it off.
The Viking Blood | Frederick William WallaceDown from the forecastle roof tumbled Jack Cockrell and went sliding across the deck, heels over head, to fetch up in the scupper.
Blackbeard: Buccaneer | Ralph D. PaineAt that moment a tremendous sea struck the vessel, carrying the mate and myself into the lee scupper.
Torrey's Narrative | William TorreyStopping the scupper, the rolling of the vessel would wash the water and sand from one side to the other.
Torrey's Narrative | William TorreyThe rods had a sharp scupper on the outside of the big end so placed as also to throw the oil on this same thrust face.
The Wright Brothers' Engines and Their Design | Leonard S. Hobbs.
British Dictionary definitions for scupper (1 of 2)
/ (ˈskʌpə) /
nautical a drain or spout allowing water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard
an opening in the side of a building for draining off water
a drain in a factory floor for running off the water from a sprinkler system
Origin of scupper
1British Dictionary definitions for scupper (2 of 2)
/ (ˈskʌpə) /
slang to overwhelm, ruin, or disable
to sink (one's ship) deliberately
Origin of scupper
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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