scalp

(skalp)

noun

the skin on the top and back of the head, usually covered with hair
a part of this, cut or torn from the head of an enemy for a trophy, as by certain North American Indians, frontiersmen, etc.
a symbol, indication, or recognition of victory, prowess, etc.
the skin on the top of the head of a dog, wolf, etc.
☆ Informal a small profit made by scalping

Origin: ME < Scand, as in Dan dial. skalp, pod, shell, ON skalpr, sheath < IE *skelb-, extension of base *(s)kel- > scale

transitive verb

to cut or tear the scalp from
1. to cheat or rob
2. to defeat decisively
Informal to buy and sell in order to make small, quick profits
Informal to resell (tickets to the theater, a sports event, etc.) at a price higher than the regular price

intransitive verb

Informal to scalp bonds, tickets, etc.

Related Forms:

See scalp in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The skin covering the top of the human head.
A portion of this skin with its attached hair, cut from a body especially as a battle trophy or as proof in claiming a bounty.
A piece of hide from the skull of certain animals, such as the fox, shown as proof of killing in order to collect a bounty.
A trophy of victory.

verb scalped, scalp·ing, scalps

verb, transitive

To cut or tear the scalp from.
To deprive of top growth or a top layer: land scalped by strip miners.
To resell at a price higher than the established value: scalping tickets to the baseball game.
To buy and sell (securities or commodities) in order to make small quick profits.

verb, intransitive

To engage in the reselling of something, such as tickets, at a price higher than the established value.
To buy and sell securities or commodities for small quick profits.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, top of the head

Origin: , of Scandinavian origin; see skel-¹ in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: