Scamper

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈskæmpÉ™/
• US IPA: /ˈskæmpÉš/
• Rhymes: -æmpÉ™(r)

Origin

First attested in 1687. Origin uncertain, but possibly from Dutch schamperen, from Old French escamper, from Italian scampare ("to run away").

Full definition of scamper

Noun

1. A quick, light run.

Verb

1. (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 1The 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

• scurry

Anagrams

• campers