scamper
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
First attested in 1687. Origin uncertain, but possibly from Dutch schamperen, from Old French escamper, from Italian scampare (“to run away”).
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
scamper (plural scampers)
- A quick, light run.
Verb [edit]
scamper (third-person singular simple present scampers, present participle scampering, simple past and past participle scampered)
- (intransitive) To run quickly and lightly, especially in a playful manner or in an undignified manner.
- The dog scampered after the squirrel.
- 1912: Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes, Chapter 1
- The younger and lighter members of his tribe scampered to the higher branches of the great trees to escape his wrath; risking their lives upon branches that scarce supported their weight rather than face old Kerchak in one of his fits of uncontrolled anger.
Synonyms [edit]
- scurry
- See also Wikisaurus:walk
Translations [edit]
To run quickly and lightly, especially in a playful manner or in an undignified manner
