scalp

[ skalp ]
See synonyms for: scalpscalpedscalping on Thesaurus.com

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.

  1. any token of victory.

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

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

verb (used with object)
  1. to cut or tear the scalp from.

  2. Informal.

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

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

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

verb (used without object)
  1. Informal. to scalp tickets, stocks, or the like.

Origin of scalp

1
1250–1300; Middle English (north) (noun), perhaps <Old Norse skālpr sheath (hence, metaphorically a covering)

Other words from scalp

  • scalper, noun
  • scalpless, adjective

Words Nearby scalp

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use scalp in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scalp

scalp

/ (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

  1. a trophy or token signifying conquest

  2. hunting, mainly US 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

  3. informal, mainly US a small speculative profit taken in quick transactions

  4. Scot dialect a projection of bare rock from vegetation

verb(tr)
  1. to cut the scalp from

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

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

Origin of scalp

1
C13: probably from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse skalpr sheath, Middle Dutch schelpe, Danish skalp husk

Derived forms of scalp

  • scalper, noun

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