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 look of it makes my scalp itch.

From Literature

Fearless American Jovic was in the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time and claimed some notable scalps on the way to announce herself to the world.

From Barron's

It marked another giant step in the emergence of Jovic, who stunned two-time Grand Slam finalist and seventh seed Jasmine Paolini in round three for the biggest scalp of her career.

From Barron's

EEG systems are worn as caps covered with electrodes that record brain activity from the scalp.

From Science Daily

It was the biggest scalp of her burgeoning career and Serbian great Djokovic, who is 20 years her senior, had a hand in it.

From Barron's