scamper
UK /ˈskæmpə/ · US /ˈskæmpɚ/ noun, verb
Forms scampers scampering scampered
- noun A quick, light run.
- verb (intransitive) To run lightly and quickly, especially in a playful or undignified manner. “The dog scampered after the squirrel.”
- noun One who skimps or does slipshod work.
Synonyms
scurry ambulate navigate pedestrianize raik skimper scramble skitter scuttle
Etymology
First attested in 1687. Origin uncertain, but possibly from Dutch schamperen, from Old French escamper, from Vulgar Latin *excampāre.
From scamp + -er.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To run with speed; to run or move in a quick, hurried manner; to hasten away. Macaulay.
- noun A scampering; a hasty flight.
Etymology [OF. escamper to escape, to save one's self; L. ex from + campus the field (sc. of battle). See Camp, and cf. Decamp, Scamp, n., Shamble, v. t.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “scamper”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details