scalp

Definition

The top of the head; the skull.

Etymology

From Middle English scalp, skalp, scalpe (“crown of the head; skull”). Originally a northern word, and therefore probably from a North Germanic source, although the sense-development is unclear; compare Sylt North Frisian Skolp (“dandruff”), Old Norse skálpr (“sheath”), Old Swedish skalp, Dutch schelp (“shell”).

Example Sentences

• "By the bare scalpe of Robin Hoods fat Fryer, / This fellow were a King, for our wilde faction."
• "The original titanium mesh plate that was inserted in the summer of 2010 was removed last June since it was causing his scalp to break down."
• "Some tribes used to collect scalps to prove how many of the enemy they had killed in battle."