Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Scamp

Scamp

(skămp)
,
Noun.
[OF.
escamper
to run away, to make one’s escape. Originally, one who runs away, a fugitive, a vagabond. See
Scamper
.]
A rascal; a swindler; a rogue.
De Quincey.

Scamp

,
Verb.
T.
[Cf.
Scamp
,
Noun.
, or
Scant
,
Adj.
, and
Skimp
.]
To perform in a hasty, neglectful, or imperfect manner; to do superficially.
[Colloq.]
A workman is said to
scamp
his work when he does it in a superficial, dishonest manner.
Wedgwood.
Much of the
scamping
and dawdling complained of is that of men in establishments of good repute.
T. Hughes.

Definition 2024


scamp

scamp

English

Noun

scamp (plural scamps)

  1. A rascal, swindler, or rogue; a ne'er-do-well.
  2. A mischievous person, especially a playful, impish youngster.
    My nephew is a little scamp who likes to leave lighted firecrackers under the lawnchairs of his dozing elders.
    While walking home from the bar, he was set upon by a bunch of scamps who stole his hat.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:troublemaker

Translations

Verb

scamp (third-person singular simple present scamps, present participle scamping, simple past and past participle scamped)

  1. (dated) To skimp; to do something in a skimpy or slipshod fashion.
    • 1884, Samuel Smiles, Men of Invention and Industry
      His work was always first-rate. There was no scamping about it. Everything that he did was thoroughly good and honest.
    • 1928, Lawrence R. Bourne, chapter 3, in Well Tackled!:
      They know our boats will stand up to their work, said Willison, and that counts for a good deal. A low estimate from us doesn't mean scamped work, but just for that we want to keep the yard busy over a slack time.

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