scamp
/ˈskæmp/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.32 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
1
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A rascal, swindler, or rogue; a ne'er-do-well.
noun
A mischievous person, especially a playful, impish youngster.
noun
Example Sentences
- ""He is a scamp, he is and it isn't difficult to find his tracks and signs of his reckless shooting, for he can never wait, like other folks, till the birds have had a good start at their play.""
- "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."
- "Prince Harry idolized Diana more and understood her less. He would always be her baby, a scamp who was “thick” at his lessons and “naughty, just like me.” His emotions, like hers, were always simmering near the surface."
- "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."
- "“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.”"
Etymology
From Middle Dutch schampen (“slip away”), from Old French escamper (“to run away, to make one's escape”), from Vulgar Latin *excampāre. Compare escape.
Origin
- Source language: Old French
Word Breakdown
- Root: schampen, escamper, *excappare, skamta