Dictionary

perscopate en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ˈpɜːskəpeɪt/

Etymology

From per- (“throughout, thoroughly”) + + Latin scōpātus, from scōpāre (“sweep”), from scōpa (“broom, bundle of sticks”) (classically only found as plural scōpae). By surface analysis, per- + scop(a) + -ate.

Meanings

1. (archaic) to bristle or horripilate
   • Let us take your cat: now suppose we shave her tail, so that it cannot shall I say perscopate or bristle; suppose we attach a board to her back, so that it cannot arch; suppose we then exhibit a displeasing sight – a sportive dog, for instance. 1970, Patrick O'Brian, Master and Commander:

Forms