[scalp] n [ME, of Scand origin; akin to ON skalpr sheath; akin to MD schelpe shell] (14c) 1 a: the part of the integument of the human head usu. covered with hair in both sexes b: the part of an animal (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 (as by Indian warriors of No. America) b: a trophy of victory or accomplishment 3 chiefly Scot: a projecting mass of bare ground or rock
[2]scalp vt (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 "~ stocks" "~ grain"; esp: to resell at greatly increased prices "~ theater tickets" ~ vi 1: to take scalps
2: to profit by slight market fluctuations -- scalp.er n