scout

play

verb \ˈskau̇t\

Definition of scout

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

First Known Use: 14th century

noun

1a : one sent to obtain information; especially : a soldier, ship, or plane sent out in war to reconnoiterb : watchman, lookoutc : talent scout
2a : the act of scoutingb : a scouting expedition : reconnaissance
3 often capitalized : a member of any of various scouting movements: such asa : boy scoutb : girl scout
4 : individual, person —used chiefly in the phrase good scout

1534

1534

verb

transitive verb
1 : mock
2 : to reject scornfully scouted his explanation as a shabby falsehood — Mark Twain
intransitive verb
: scoff

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

First Known Use: 1605

noun

: a soldier, airplane, etc., that is sent to get information about the size, location, equipment, etc., of an enemy
: a person whose job is to search for talented performers, athletes, etc.

play

verb \ˈskau̇t\

;

1 : to explore an area to find out information about it
2 : to search an area for someone or something … they scouted around for a place to spend the night. — E. L. Konigsburg, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler