scalp

noun \ ˈskalp \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of scalp

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

See scalp defined for English-language learners

See scalp defined for kids

Recent Examples of scalp from the Web

Rashes had spread to her scalp, neck, chest, shoulders, back and arms.

— kristine phillips, ajc, "She modeled in New York and worked for the Navy. At 93, parasites ate her alive at a Georgia nursing home.," 2 May 2018
The cool water provided some relief, but my scalp was still tender and sore.

— dana snitzky, Longreads, "How To Be a Plain Girl," 2 May 2018
Make sure to feel your scalp under your hair, and check folds of skin, your private parts, behind your ears and behind your knees.

— author: roni caryn rabin, Anchorage Daily News, "How to protect yourself from mosquitoes and ticks," 1 May 2018
Make sure to feel your scalp under your hair, and check folds of skin, your private parts, behind your ears and behind your knees.

— roni caryn rabin, New York Times, "How to Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes and Ticks," 1 May 2018
But on Thursday, the face of the aging comedian — his head shaved close to his scalp — bore a grim aspect, his eyelids heavy.

— manuel roig-franzia, Washington Post, "Bill Cosby convicted on three counts of sexual assault," 26 Apr. 2018
Massage it into your scalp, allow the treatment sit for a couple of minutes, and then, carefully rinse.

— kara thompson, Town & Country, "All the Ways Apple Cider Vinegar is Great for Damaged Hair," 24 Apr. 2018
But to debut the undercut, Gomez added extensions, pulled her hair into a super-tight ponytail, and then shaved the bottom quarter of her scalp in a triangle shape.

— jenna rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "Selena Gomez Just Shaved Her Head," 23 Apr. 2018
There, he was given nine staples to his scalp before being released.

— char adams, PEOPLE.com, "Man Survives Shark and Bear Attacks Less Than a Year Apart: 'I'm Not Gonna Let' That Stop Me," 23 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scalp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scalp

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

scalp

verb

Definition of scalp

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

See scalp defined for English-language learners

Examples of scalp in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of scalp from the Web

And the optics of scalping a Native American certainly wasn’t lost on me.

— william lee, chicagotribune.com, "‘Westworld’ Episode 1 recap: 5 things to know about ‘Journey Into Night’ and the start of Season 2," 22 Apr. 2018
The mother said her child had a severe head scalping injury and has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the lawsuit alleges.

— samantha ketterer, Houston Chronicle, "Lawsuit filed in fatal crash that injured Channelview ISD band students," 15 Apr. 2018
On its base was a shield, surrounded by a musket, bow, arrows, tomahawk, and scalping knife.

— barbara cutter, Smithsonian, "The Gruesome Story of Hannah Duston, Whose Slaying of Indians Made Her an American Folk “Hero”," 9 Apr. 2018
One night when the Indian family was sleeping, Duston, Neff, and Leonardson—who were not guarded or locked up—armed themselves with tomahawks and killed and scalped 10 of the Indians, including six children.

— barbara cutter, Smithsonian, "The Gruesome Story of Hannah Duston, Whose Slaying of Indians Made Her an American Folk “Hero”," 9 Apr. 2018
But scalp psoriasis — a common condition characterized by thick, red scaly patches of skin that can cover the entire scalp and be chronic — is arguably the most painful and inconvenient of them all.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "The 8 Best Shampoos for Scalp Psoriasis Recommended By Dermatologists," 29 Mar. 2018
As part of the settlement, Ticketmaster acquired Songkick's ticketing commerce platform, anti-scalping algorithm, API applications and patent portfolio.

— dave brooks, Billboard, "Ticketmaster Settles Songkick Lawsuit for $110M," 12 Jan. 2018
But most of the blood loss had occurred, Ribe saw, because Kasian had been scalped.

— scott johnson, The Hollywood Reporter, ""Murder, Mayhem and Torture" Off the Sunset Strip: The Tragic Story of the Budding Director and His Dead Girlfriend," 18 Dec. 2017
In retaliation, George Washington sent an invasion force that destroyed crops and leveled village upon village, killing and scalping along the way.

— lynne cheney, New York Times, "The War of Independence, Seen Through Six Sets of Eyes," 30 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of scalp

1676

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Financial Definition of SCALP

scalper

noun

What It Is

The term scalpers refers to securities traders who manipulate the market. Scalpers may also refer to traders who earn relatively small amounts of money from the arbitrage between bid prices and ask prices on securities.

How It Works

In the case of market manipulation, scalpers may buy a security, then recommend the security to investors and take a profit on the difference between their price and the sales price once the market demand raises the price.

Scalpers may also act as market makers, making a spread between the bid price and the ask price of a security. The role of market makers is to provide liquidity in the trading of securities, taking bids and settling on prices. The profits are realized from the difference between the ask price and the bid price on a security. The arbitrage gain on these spreads is usually small and short-term.

Why It Matters

Scalping to profit from the increase in the price of a security as a result of manipulating the market is a fraud under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. The prohibition applies to registered and unregistered investment advisors.

The scalper's business actually overlaps and competes with the designated market maker. However, because the market maker is usually designated by the exchange and has specific, proprietary information about the security, and has substantial capital resources, the general scalper is at a disadvantage.

Source: Investing Answers

scalp

verb

What It Is

Scalping is a form of day trading that involves earning small profits on large volumes of securities.

How It Works

A day trader is a very active securities trader who holds securities for a very short time (generally one day or less). If a day trader wants to scalp, he or she would buy and sell shares when there are small changes in the stock price. For example, if the price of Company XYZ rises from $41.50 to $41.55, the difference is only a nickel. To most investors, that's not a compelling change, but scalpers capitalize on this by buying 100,000 shares at $41.50 and selling at $41.55 for a profit of $5,000. If this price change takes place in the course of just one trading day, which is entirely possible, the trader can make $5,000 in a day. Often, the price changes are even smaller than $0.05 a share for scalpers to profit.

Why It Matters

Scalpers execute most of their transactions online, and it is important to note that the number of trades influences the amount of brokerage commissions paid. Some day traders avoid using market makers or brokers by purchasing memberships in direct-access broker systems. These systems send orders to an electronic communications network (ECN), which is a computerized matching system that allows traders to advertise bid or ask prices and execute trades.

Day trading requires analytical skills and discipline, and many people have made day trading a career. However, day trading is exceptionally speculative and therefore requires considerable financial and emotional stamina to withstand substantial risk.

Source: Investing Answers

SCALP Defined for English Language Learners

scalp

noun

Definition of scalp for English Language Learners

: the skin on the top of your head where hair grows
: hair and skin that is cut or torn from the head of an enemy as a sign of victory

scalp

verb

Definition of scalp for English Language Learners

: to remove the hair and skin from the head of (an enemy) as a sign of victory
: to buy tickets for an event and resell them at a much higher price

SCALP Defined for Kids

scalp

noun \ ˈskalp \

Definition of scalp for Students

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

scalp

verb

Definition of scalp for Students

scalped; scalping

: to remove the scalp from

Medical Dictionary

scalp

noun \ ˈskalp \

medical Definition of scalp

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

Law Dictionary

scalp

transitive verb

legal Definition of scalp

: 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

Learn More about scalp

See words that rhyme with scalp Spanish Central: Translation of scalp Nglish: Translation of scalp for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scalp for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scalp

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scalp

Definition of scalp

Recent Examples of scalp from the Web

Origin and Etymology of scalp

scalp

Definition of scalp

scalper

Examples of scalp in a Sentence

Recent Examples of scalp from the Web

First Known Use of scalp

Financial Definition of SCALP

What It Is

How It Works

Why It Matters

What It Is

How It Works

Why It Matters

Phrases Related to SCALP

Related Phrases

SCALP Defined for English Language Learners

scalp

Definition of scalp for English Language Learners

scalp

Definition of scalp for English Language Learners

SCALP Defined for Kids

scalp

Definition of scalp for Students

scalp

Definition of scalp for Students

Medical Dictionary

scalp

medical Definition of scalp

Law Dictionary

scalp

legal Definition of scalp

scalper

Learn More about scalp

Seen and Heard

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