scupper

English

WOTD – 9 September 2009

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈskʌp.ə/
• IPA^(key): /ˈskʌp.ɚ/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ʌpə(ɹ)

Etymology 1

From Dutch scheppen (“to draw off”).

Noun

scupper (plural scuppers)

1. (nautical) A drainage hole on the deck of a ship.
2. (architecture) A similar opening in a wall or parapet that allows water to drain from a roof.

Derived terms

• scupper hose
• scupper nail
• scupper plug

Translations

nautical: drainage hole

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 排水口

• Danish: lænseport c, spygat n
• Finnish: valumisaukko, spyygatti, nieluaukko, valumisreikä
• French: dalot (fr) m
• German: Speigat (de) n, Speigatt (de) n
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Icelandic: spýjurenna f, lensport n
• Norman: dalot m
• Russian: шпига́т (ru) m (špigát)
• Serbo-Croatian: lakomica (sh) f
• Spanish: imbornal m
• Swedish: spygatt (sv) n

architecture: drainage hole in a wall or parapet

• Finnish: valumisaukko
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Russian: дренажное отве́рстие (ru) n (otvérstije)
• Serbo-Croatian: drenažni otvor m

Etymology 2

Of unknown origin; possibly verbized form of Etymology 1, but this is unlikely.

Verb

scupper (third-person singular simple present scuppers, present participle scuppering, simple past and past participle scuppered)

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

   The bad media coverage scuppered his chances of being elected.

   • 2019 October 19, Robert Kitson, “England into World Cup semi-finals after bruising victory over Australia”, in The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media:

     Anthony Watson’s late interception and Owen Farrell’s 100% kicking contribution also helped scupper the Wallabies, despite the promise of their exciting new centre Jordan Petaia and the roadrunner pace of winger Marika Koroibete.

   • 2002, Hugo Young, The Guardian (2 Jul):

     "We can't allow US tantrums to scupper global justice."

Translations

thwart, destroy

• Finnish: romuttaa (fi), pilata (fi), tehdä tyhjäksi
• Italian: avversare (it), bruciare (it)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Russian: губи́ть (ru) impf (gubítʹ), погубить (ru) pf (pogubitʹ)
• Serbo-Croatian: potopiti (sh), torpedirati (sh)
• Swedish: torpedera (sv), stjälpa (sv), kullkasta, sänka (sv)

Anagrams

• cuppers