scalp

1 of 2

noun

ˈskalp 

1

a

: the part of the integument of the human head usually covered with hair in both sexes

b

: the part of an animal (such as a wolf or fox) corresponding to the human scalp

2

a

: a part of the human scalp with attached hair cut or torn from an enemy as a token of victory

b

: a trophy of victory or accomplishment

3

chiefly Scotland : a projecting mass of bare ground or rock

scalp

2 of 2

verb

scalped; scalping; scalps

transitive verb

1

a

: to deprive of the scalp

b

: to remove an upper part from

2

: to remove a desired constituent from and discard the rest

3

: to buy and sell so as to make small quick profits

scalp stocks

scalp grain

especially : to resell at greatly increased prices

scalp theater tickets

intransitive verb

1

: to take scalps

2

: to profit by slight market fluctuations

scalper noun

Examples of scalp in a Sentence

Verb

Some members of the tribe were scalped by the attacking warriors.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Anthony Berry, 20, was grazed by a bullet along his upper scalp – an injury that could’ve been more serious if it had been located a centimeter lower, Orlando Health trauma surgeon Joseph Ibrahim said at a Friday news conference. —Dalia Faheid, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024

It’s made with a sugar and coconut oil blend to smooth and moisturize after gently exfoliating your scalp or body. —Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024

Verb

If true, the narrative conforms to a familiar script: local elites scalped their countrymen in a resource-rich developing nation. —Matt Mossman, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2017

Zito's modus operandi is scalping women and attaching their hair to mannequins, which probably has nothing to do with his mommy issues... Tom Savini truly works his magic in Maniac, and the special makeup effects are haunting, but the film also gets a boost from a pair of genre heavy-hitters. —Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, crown of the head, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skālpr sheath; akin to Middle Dutch schelpe shell

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1676, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing scalp

• go after someone's scalp
• scalp lock
• want someone's scalp

Kids Definition

scalp

1 of 2 noun

ˈskalp 

1

: the part of the skin and flesh of the head usually covered with hair

2

: a part of the human scalp cut or torn from an enemy especially as a sign of victory

scalp

2 of 2 verb

1

: to remove the scalp from

2

: to buy and resell at much higher prices

scalp theater tickets

scalper noun

Medical Definition

scalp

noun

ˈskalp 

: the part of the integument of the head usually covered with hair in both sexes

Legal Definition

scalp

transitive verb

: to buy and sell so as to make small quick profits

scalp stocks

especially : to resell at greatly increased prices

intransitive verb

: to profit by slight market fluctuations

scalper noun