From Middle English scapen (whence also atscapen and ofscapen (“to escape”)), formed by aphesis from escapen, ascapen (“to escape”). Compare also Old French scapper, a variant of Old French eschaper, formed via similar process. Doublet of escape and scarper.
Meanings
(archaic) Escape.
I spake of most disastrous chances, […] Of hairbreadth scapes in the imminent, deadly breach. c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
(obsolete) A means of escape; evasion.
(obsolete) A freak; a slip; a fault; an escapade.
Not pardoning so much as the scapes of error and ignorance. 1643, J[ohn] M[ilton], The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce: […], London: […] T[homas] P[aine] and M[atthew] S[immons] […], →OCLC:
(obsolete) A loose act of vice or lewdness.
though I am not bookish, yyet I can read waiting-gentlewoman in the 'scape c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]:
From Middle English scapen (whence also atscapen and ofscapen (“to escape”)), formed by aphesis from escapen, ascapen (“to escape”). Compare also Old French scapper, a variant of Old French eschaper, formed via similar process. Doublet of escape and scarper.
Meanings
(archaic, transitive) To escape (someone or something).
No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace / As I have seen in one autumnal face. / Young beauties force our love, and that's a rape, / This doth but counsel, yet you cannot scape. c. 1600, John Donne, Elegy IX: The Autumnal, in Poems (1633)
He (to beguile the ſimple) makes no bone / To ſvvear by God (for he beleeues ther's none); / His Svvord's his Title; and vvho ſcapes the ſame, / Shall haue a Piſtol, or a Poyſonie dram: […] 1608, [Guillaume de Salluste] Du Bartas, translated by Iosuah Syluester, “[Du Bartas His Second Weeke, […]. David. […].] The Decay. The IIII. Book of the IIII. Day of the II. Week.”, in W. Salustius, Lord of Bartas, translated by Josuah Sylvester, Du Bartas His Deuine Weekes and Workes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Humfrey Lownes [and are to be sold by Arthur Iohnson […]], published 1611, →OCLC, page 619:
Hee will provide you keyes, and locks, to spie, / And scape spies, to good ends a. 1631 (date written), J[ohn] Donne, “(please specify the title)”, in Poems, […] with Elegies on the Authors Death, London: […] M[iles] F[lesher] for Iohn Marriot, […], published 1633, →OCLC: