scalp

[skalp] /skælp/

noun

the integument of the upper part of the head, usually including the associated subcutaneous structures.

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.

any token of victory.

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

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

verb (used with object)

to cut or tear the scalp from.

Informal.

to resell (tickets, merchandise, etc.) at higher than the official rates.
to buy and sell (stocks) so as to make small quick profits.

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

verb (used without object)

Informal. to scalp tickets, stocks, or the like.

Origin

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

Related forms

scalper, noun

scalpless, adjective

Examples from the web for scalp

They anesthetized her to remove a piece of her scalp and skull and fold back a protective membrane underneath.
As a wildlife filmmaker, she took the opportunity to film her husband removing the larva from her scalp.
Graying begins inside the sunken pits in the scalp called follicles.
Others suckle your scalp to extract your bodily fluids for sustenance.
It uses electrodes attached to the scalp to measure electrical brain activity.
Doctors elsewhere have performed scalp and ear transplants.
The numerous communications exist between this sinus and the veins of the nose, scalp, and diploë.
The muscles of the scalp are so thin that the outline of the bone is perceptible beneath them.
But this time the area of the scalp that was involved became numb, and the pain was replaced by a constant, relentless itch.
His scalp was covered with bumps and cuts, and he had a pounding headache.

British Dictionary definitions for scalp

scalp

/skælp/

noun

(anatomy) the skin and subcutaneous tissue covering the top of the head

(among North American Indians) a part of this removed as a trophy from a slain enemy

a trophy or token signifying conquest

(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

(informal, mainly US) a small speculative profit taken in quick transactions

(Scot, dialect) a projection of bare rock from vegetation

verb (transitive)

to cut the scalp from

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

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

Derived Forms

scalper, noun

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for scalp

mid-14c., "top of the head (including hair)," presumably from a Scandinavian source (though exact cognates are wanting) related to Old Norse skalli "a bald head," skalpr "sheath, scabbard,"from the source of scale (n.1). French scalpe, German, Danish, Swedish skalp are from English. Meaning "head skin and hair as proof of death or a victory trophy" is from c.1600.

"to cut off (someone's) scalp," 1670s, from scalp (n.), originally in reference to North American Indians. For ticket re-selling sense, see scalper. Related: Scalped; scalping. Cf. German skalpern, Danish skalpere, Swedish skalpera. French scalper is from Germanic. Similarity to Latin scalpere "to cut, carve" is accidental.

scalp in Medicine

scalp (skālp)
n.
The skin covering the top of the head.

Slang definitions & phrases for scalp

scalp

verb

To sell tickets at a higher than normal or legal price (1883+)