scupper

¹

[ skuhp-er ]

noun

1. Nautical. 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.
2. 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.
3. any opening in the side of a building, as in a parapet, for draining off rainwater.

scupper

²

[ skuhp-er ]

verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to prevent from happening or succeeding; ruin; wreck:

   The snowstorm scuppered our plans for the evening.

2. British. to sink (a vessel) deliberately; scuttle.

scupper

¹

/ ˈskʌpə /

noun

1. nautical a drain or spout allowing water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard
2. an opening in the side of a building for draining off water
3. a drain in a factory floor for running off the water from a sprinkler system

scupper

²

/ ˈskʌpə /

verb

1. slang.
   to overwhelm, ruin, or disable
2. to sink (one's ship) deliberately

Word History and Origins

Origin of scupper¹

First recorded in 1475–85; Middle English skopor, scopper; further origin uncertain

Origin of scupper²

First recorded in 1880–85; originally British military slang “to massacre, slaughter”; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of scupper¹

C15 skopper, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to scoop

Origin of scupper²

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

That action has scuppered some of the IAB-backed group’s plans.

From MIT Technology Review

Discussions to make testing free were scuppered in order to push people to book vaccines.

From The Daily Beast

Supply issues could scupper recent gains in New Zealand and Australia.

From Washington Post

As the equality movement found a renewed focus and determination, so its opponents ratcheted up their efforts to scupper it.

From The Daily Beast

The minister fears that now even lesser frictions could scupper the new agreement.

From 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.

From Project Gutenberg

Down from the forecastle roof tumbled Jack Cockrell and went sliding across the deck, heels over head, to fetch up in the scupper.

From Project Gutenberg

At that moment a tremendous sea struck the vessel, carrying the mate and myself into the lee scupper.

From Project Gutenberg

Stopping the scupper, the rolling of the vessel would wash the water and sand from one side to the other.

From Project Gutenberg

The 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.

From Project Gutenberg