I. ˈskalp noun
Etymology: Middle English, crown of the head, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skālpr sheath; akin to Middle Dutch schelpe shell
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : the part of the integument of the human head usually 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
b. : a trophy of victory or accomplishment
3. chiefly Scottish : a projecting mass of bare ground or rock
II. verb
Date: 1676
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
• scalp·er noun