scup·per

1 [skuhp-er]
noun
1.
Nautical. a drain at the edge of a deck exposed to the weather, for allowing accumulated water to drain away into the sea or into the bilges. Compare freeing port.
2.
a drain, closed by one or two flaps, for allowing water from the sprinkler system of a factory or the like to run off a floor of the building to the exterior.
3.
any opening in the side of a building, as in a parapet, for draining off rain water.

Origin:
1475–85; earlier skoper. See scoop, -er1

Dictionary.com Unabridged

scup·per

2 [skuhp-er]
verb (used with object) British.
1.
Military. to overwhelm; surprise and destroy, disable, or massacre.
2.
Informal. to prevent from happening or succeeding; ruin; wreck.

Origin:
1880–85; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To scupper
00:10
Scupper is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Collins
World English Dictionary
scupper1 (ˈskʌpə) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  nautical a drain or spout allowing water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard
2.  an opening in the side of a building for draining off water
3.  a drain in a factory floor for running off the water from a sprinkler system
 
[C15 skopper, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to scoop]

scupper2 (ˈskʌpə) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  slang to overwhelm, ruin, or disable
2.  to sink (one's ship) deliberately
 
[C19: of unknown origin]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

scupper
"opening in a ship's side at deck level," late 15c., perhaps from O.Fr. escopir "to spit out," or related to Du. schop "shovel," or from M.E. scope "scoop" (see scoop).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Scientists find that some types of sea snake possess homing behavior that may scupper conservation efforts.
If elections do not take place, the resulting void might scupper future loans, which must be ratified by parliament.
So the discovery of a neutron star with a stronger field would immediately scupper it.
All shims and scupper blocks shall be fastened securely to the plank floor.
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