scupper

2
[ skuhp-er ]
/ ˈskʌp ər /

verb (used with object) British.

Military. to overwhelm; surprise and destroy, disable, or massacre.
Informal. to prevent from happening or succeeding; ruin; wreck.

Origin of scupper

2
First recorded in 1880–85; origin uncertain

Words nearby scupper

scungy, scunner, scunnered, scunthorpe, scup, scupper, scuppernong, scur, scurf, scurfy, scurrile

Example sentences from the Web for scuppered

British Dictionary definitions for scuppered (1 of 2)

scupper 1
/ (ˈskʌpə) /

noun

nautical a drain or spout allowing water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard
an opening in the side of a building for draining off water
a drain in a factory floor for running off the water from a sprinkler system

Word Origin for scupper

C15 skopper, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to scoop

British Dictionary definitions for scuppered (2 of 2)

scupper 2
/ (ˈskʌpə) /

verb (tr) British

slang to overwhelm, ruin, or disable
to sink (one's ship) deliberately

Word Origin for scupper

C19: of unknown origin