51Թ

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scupper

1

[ skuhp-er ]

noun

  1. Nautical. a drain at the edge of a deck exposed to the weather, for allowing accumulated water to drain away into the sea or into the bilges. Compare freeing port.
  2. a drain, closed by one or two flaps, for allowing water from the sprinkler system of a factory or the like to run off a floor of the building to the exterior.
  3. any opening in the side of a building, as in a parapet, for draining off rainwater.


scupper

2

[ skuhp-er ]

verb (used with object)

  1. Informal. to prevent from happening or succeeding; ruin; wreck:

    The snowstorm scuppered our plans for the evening.

  2. British. to sink (a vessel) deliberately; scuttle.

scupper

1

/ ˈʌə /

noun

  1. nautical a drain or spout allowing water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard
  2. an opening in the side of a building for draining off water
  3. a drain in a factory floor for running off the water from a sprinkler system
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

scupper

2

/ ˈʌə /

verb

  1. slang.
    to overwhelm, ruin, or disable
  2. to sink (one's ship) deliberately
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of scupper1

First recorded in 1475–85; Middle English skopor, scopper; further origin uncertain

Origin of scupper2

First recorded in 1880–85; originally British military slang “to massacre, slaughter”; further origin uncertain
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of scupper1

C15 skopper, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to scoop

Origin of scupper2

C19: of unknown origin
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Whatever happens to Agoa in the immediate term, it seems that Trump's sweeping tariffs have scuppered hopes of the legislation being renewed.

From

Those nuances that he laid out ahead of talks with US envoys at the Kremlin are so key to his thinking they could scupper any hope of a 30-day ceasefire.

From

Last year, the bid for back to back Grand Slams was scuppered by England in Twickenham.

From

Opposition to deep-sea mining has been fierce enough to scupper entire companies.

From

The thing is tariffs could scupper any growth and Downing Street will have to hope that it can talk the president out of them.

From

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