Scupper Definition

skŭpər

scuppered, scuppering, scuppers

noun

scuppers

An opening in a ship's side to allow water to drain from a weather deck.

Webster's New World

A similar outlet in a building, as for water to run off from a floor or roof.

Webster's New World

verb

scuppered, scuppering, scuppers

To sink (a ship) deliberately; scuttle.

American Heritage

To wreck; ruin.

Our plans were scuppered.

Webster's New World

To overwhelm or massacre.

American Heritage

(UK) Thwart or destroy, especially something belonging or pertaining to another; compare scuttle.

The bad media coverage scuppered his chances of being elected.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Scupper

Singular:

scupper

Plural:

Middle English scoper- (in scopernail nail for attaching leather under a scupper to prevent dirty water from soiling the hull) probably from scopen to scoop from scope a scoop scoop

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Originally British military slang to massacre, of unknown origin (probably later influenced by scuttle)

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Dutch scheppen (“to draw off")

From Wiktionary
Of unknown origin.

From Wiktionary

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