n.
Function: transitive verb
Date: 1676
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
– scalp · er noun