Scalp
/skælp/noun
The skin covering the top of the head, especially with the hair attached; also, to remove that skin.
Did you know?The English word ultimately comes from a Germanic root meaning a shell or husk, which is why the same ancient idea also lives on in words for armor and hard coverings.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skel-
“to cut, split, or shell off”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*skalpaz
“shell, husk, or covering”
Old Norse
ON
skálp
“shell or husk”
Middle English
ME
scalp
“the skin of the head”
Modern English
English
scalp
“the skin covering the top of the head; to remove it”