dictionary definitions for "scarp"


From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Scarp \Scarp\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scarped; p. pr. & vb. n.
     Scarping.]
     To cut down perpendicularly, or nearly so; as, to scarp the
     face of a ditch or a rock.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           From scarped cliff and quarried stone.   --Tennyson.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Sweep ruins from the scarped mountain.   --Emerson.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Scarp \Scarp\, n. [OF. escharpe. See 2d Scarf.] (Her.)
     A band in the same position as the bend sinister, but only
     half as broad as the latter.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Scarp \Scarp\, n. [Aphetic form of Escarp.]
     1. (Fort.) The slope of the ditch nearest the parapet; the
        escarp.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A steep descent or declivity.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Escarp \Es*carp"\, n. [F. escarpe (cf. Sp. escarpa, It. scarpa),
     fr. escarper to cut steep, cut to a slope, prob. of German
     origin: cf. G. scharf sharp,, E. sharp, or perh. scrape.]
     (Fort.)
     The side of the ditch next the parapet; -- same as scarp,
     and opposed to counterscarp.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

  scarp
      n 1: a long steep slope or cliff at the edge of a plateau or
           ridge; usually formed by erosion [syn: escarpment,
           scarp]
      2: a steep artificial slope in front of a fortification [syn:
         escarpment, escarp, scarp, protective embankment]


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