scamp

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A rascal, swindler, or rogue

   A rascal, swindler, or rogue; a ne'er-do-well.

   • "He is a scamp, he is and it isn't difficult to find his tracks and signs of his reckless shooting, for he can never wait, like other folks, till the birds have had a good start at their play."
2. 2

   A mischievous person, especially a playful, impish youngster.

   • My nephew is a little scamp who likes to leave lighted firecrackers under the lawnchairs of his dozing elders.
   • While walking home from the bar, he was set upon by a bunch of scamps who stole his hat.
   • Prince Harry idolized Diana more and understood her less. He would always be her baby, a scamp who was “thick” at his lessons and “naughty, just like me.” His emotions, like hers, were always simmering near the surface.
3. 3

   To skimp

   To skimp; to do something in a skimpy or slipshod fashion.

   • 1884, Samuel Smiles, Men of Invention and Industry His work was always first-rate. There was no scamping about it. Everything that he did was thoroughly good and honest.
   • “They know our boats will stand up to their work,” said Willison, “and that counts for a good deal. A low estimate from us doesn't mean scamped work, but just for that we want to keep the yard busy over a slack time.”
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      A preliminary design sketch.

      • It did not matter that the scamp (simple illustrative line-drawing) it contained could have been done in the pub the night before.
      • From the scamps, the creative idea can be developed more fully into a proposal for an actual ad. This needs to be clear enough to present to the client.

The neighborhood