scat

[ skat ]

See synonyms for scat on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),scat·ted, scat·ting.Informal.

to go off hastily (often used in the imperative).

Origin of scat

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; of uncertain origin

Other definitions for scat (2 of 6)

scat²

[ skat ]

verb (used without object),scat·ted, scat·ting.

to sing by making full or partial use of the technique of scat singing, in which the singer substitutes improvised nonsense syllables for the words of a song.

noun

scat singing.

Origin of scat

First recorded in 1925–30; of uncertain origin

Other definitions for scat (3 of 6)

scat³

[ skat ]

noun

the excrement of a wild animal.

Origin of scat

First recorded in 1925–30; origin uncertain; compare British dialect (southwestern) scat “to scatter, fling down, bespatter”; Greek skat- (stem of skôr “dung”; see scato-) is an unlikely source, given popular character of the word and unmotivated derivation pattern

Other definitions for scat (4 of 6)

scat⁴

[ skat ]

nounSlang.

heroin.

Origin of scat

⁴

First recorded in 1945–50; of uncertain origin; compare earlier scat (slang) “whiskey”

Other definitions for scat (5 of 6)

scat⁵

or scatt

[ skat ]

noun

(in the Shetland and Orkney Islands) a crown tax, as for use of common lands.

Origin of scat

⁵

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old Norse skattr “tax, treasure”

Other definitions for scat- (6 of 6)

scat-

variant of scato- before a vowel.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scat in a sentence

I remember I heard something fiddling around in the galley, and I hollered 'scat!'
Masterpieces of Mystery, Vol. 1 (of 4) | Various
The poor man, in an access both of alarm and courage, whirled the bar about his head and shouted "scat!"
Myths And Legends Of Our Own Land, Complete | Charles M. Skinner
scat′hold, open ground for pasture; scat′land, land which paid duty for rights of pasture and peat.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) | Various
In fact, it would have spoiled everything, and Angel encouraged the animal's exit with a suppressed "scat!"
Angel Unawares | C. N. Williamson
And every man went his way, and the corps are the "scat-ups" to this day.
Cornish Saints and Sinners | J. Henry Harris

British Dictionary definitions for scat (1 of 4)

scat¹

/ (skæt) /

verbscats, scatting or scatted

(intr; usually imperative) informal to go away in haste

Origin of scat

C19: perhaps from a hiss + the word cat, used to frighten away cats

British Dictionary definitions for scat (2 of 4)

scat²

/ (skæt) /

noun

a type of jazz singing characterized by improvised vocal sounds instead of words

verbscats, scatting or scatted

(intr) to sing jazz in this way

Origin of scat

C20: perhaps imitative

British Dictionary definitions for scat (3 of 4)

scat³

/ (skæt) /

noun

any marine and freshwater percoid fish of the Asian family Scatophagidae, esp Scatophagus argus, which has a beautiful coloration

Origin of scat

C20: shortened from Scatophagus; see scato-

British Dictionary definitions for scat (4 of 4)

scat⁴

/ (skæt) /

noun

an animal dropping

Origin of scat

⁴

C20: see scato-

Collins 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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