Dictionary entries for 'scamper'

Synonyms

run
scurry
sprint

scam·per (skăḿpər)

[Probably from Flemish schampeeren, frequentative of obsolete Dutch schampen, to run away, decamp, from Middle Dutch ontscampen, from Old French escamper, from Old Italian scampare, from Vulgar Latin* excampāre, from Latin ex campō, out of the field, ex, away; see ex–, + campō ablative of campus, field.]

intransitive verb: -pered, -per·ing, -pers.

To run or go quickly and lightly: children scampering off to play.

noun

A quick light run or movement.

scamp² (skămp)

[Possibly of Scandinavian origin.]

transitive verb: scamped, scamp·ing, scamps.

To perform in a careless superficial way.

derivatives

scamṕer: noun

intransitive verb: -pered, -per·ing, -pers.

noun

transitive verb: scamped, scamp·ing, scamps.

derivatives

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition