scout

¹scout

verb \ˈskau̇t\

Definition of SCOUT

intransitive verb

1

: to explore an area to obtain information (as about an enemy)

2

a : to make a search

b : to work as a talent scout

transitive verb

1

: to observe in order to obtain information or evaluate

2

: to explore in order to obtain information

3

: to find by making a search

Origin of SCOUT

Middle English, from Anglo-French escuter to listen, from Latin auscultare — more at auscultation

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with SCOUT

bout, clout, doubt, drought, flout, glout, gout, grout, knout, kraut, lout, out, pout, rout, route, shout, snout, spout, sprout, stout, tout, trout

²scout

noun

Definition of SCOUT

1

a : one sent to obtain information; especially : a soldier, ship, or plane sent out in war to reconnoiter

b : watchman, lookout

c : talent scout

2

a : the act of scouting

b : a scouting expedition : reconnaissance

3

often capitalized : a member of any of various scouting movements: as

a : boy scout

b : girl scout

4

: individual, person —used chiefly in the phrase good scout

First Known Use of SCOUT

1534

Related to SCOUT

Synonyms

baby, being, bird, bod [British], body, character, cookie (or cooky), creature, customer, devil, duck, egg, face, fish, guy, head, human being, individual, life, man, mortal, party, person, personage, human, slob, sort, soul, specimen, stiff, thing, wight

Related Words

hominid, homo, humanoid; brother, fellow, fellowman, neighbor; celebrity, personality, self, somebody

Near Antonyms

animal, beast, beastie, brute, critter

³scout

verb

Definition of SCOUT

transitive verb

1

: mock

2

: to reject scornfully <scouted his explanation as a shabby falsehood — Mark Twain>

intransitive verb

: scoff

Origin of SCOUT

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skūti taunt; akin to Old English scēotan to shoot — more at shoot

First Known Use: 1605