scarp Definition
scarp (skärp)
noun
- a steep slope; specif., an escarpment or cliff extending along the edge of a plateau, mesa, etc.
- the inner slope of a ditch below a rampart
Etymology: It scarpa, a scarp, slope < Goth *skrapa, akin to OE scræf, cave, hollow < IE *(s)kerb(h)-, var. of base *(s)ker-, to cut > shear
transitive verb
- to make or cut into a steep slope
- to provide with a scarp
scarp Usage Examples
Preposition: on
side: Slight scarp on the north side where the old boundary was removed.
Converse of object
- form: The Polden Hills are capped by the Blue Lias Limestone, which in places forms a steep scarp.
- follow: They result from topography and geology, following the chalk scarp and the river valleys.
- face: A pair of Ravens over the north facing scarp of the Downs between Saxon Down and Malling Down this morning.
Adjective modifier
- steep: The Blackdown Hills are best known for the dramatic, steep, wooded scarp face they present to the north.
- northern: Lower Paleolithic Surface finds from the northern scarp of the Downs at Kithurst Hill, West Sussex.
- wooded: The Blackdown Hills are best known for the dramatic, steep, wooded scarp face they present to the north.
- main: Excavations during the 1960s discovered a box rampart on top of the main scarp and two outer ditches.
- Jurassic: From the ledge on Jurassic Scarp the traverse was continued at the same level around the corner under the prow into The Night Watch.
Modifies a noun
- slope: Turning right, you climb steeply up the scarp slope, passing through a ribbon of woodland en route.
- retreat: This may account for the high rates of scarp retreat.
- bank: On the western side of the ditch there is often a small counter scarp bank also made from the material removed for the ditch.
- edge: Climb the track beyond it with the scarp edge to your right.
- face: The stone is located just beyond the rocky scarp face on the right.
- feature: The ridges of Wenlock and Aymestrey limestone form a double scarp feature almost encircling the Woolhope inlier.
Noun used with modifier
- chalk: Walkers are rewarded with outstanding landscapes, the chalk scarp deeply divided by dry valleys.
- limestone: Your path takes you along a wooded limestone scarp with splendid views across the Aveyron gorge.
- fault: A sketch map by Barbara Nuttall of medieval Thornhill shows Deadman's Lane climbing the fault scarp of the Edge.
- rock: This drawing shows a platform with two converging sewage channels running parallel to the rock scarp.
- sandstone: The area includes the dip slopes and a series of smaller sandstone scarps and ridges behind the main cliffs.
Browse dictionary entries near scarp
- ‹ scarlet tanager
- ‹ scarlet runner (bean)
- ‹ scarlet letter
- ‹ scarlet hat
- ‹ scarlet fever
- ‹ scarlet
- ‹ Scarlatti
- ‹ scarlatina
- ‹ scarious
- ‹ scarify

