scout

¹

[ skout ]

noun

1. a soldier, warship, airplane, etc., employed in reconnoitering.
2. a person sent out to obtain information.
3. Sports.
   1. a person who observes and reports on the techniques, players, etc., of opposing teams.
   2. a person sent out by a team to observe and recommend new talent for recruitment.
4. a talent scout, as in the entertainment field.
5. an act or instance of reconnoitering, inspecting, observing, etc.
6. Sometimes Scout. a Boy Scout or Girl Scout.
7. Informal. a person:

   He's a good scout.

8. a man acting as servant to a student at Oxford University.

verb (used without object)

1. to act as a scout; reconnoiter.
2. to make a search; hunt.
3. to work as a talent scout.

verb (used with object)

1. to examine, inspect, or observe for the purpose of obtaining information; reconnoiter:

   to scout the enemy's defenses.

2. to seek; search for (usually followed by out or up ):

   to scout up a date for Friday night.

3. to find by seeking, searching, or looking (usually followed by out or up ):

   Scout out a good book for me to read.

scout

²

[ skout ]

verb (used with object)

1. to treat with scorn; dismiss.
2. to make fun of; deride; mock.

verb (used without object)

1. to scoff; jeer.

scout

¹

/ skaʊt /

verb

1. archaic.
   to reject (a person or thing) with contempt

scout

²

/ skaʊt /

noun

1. a person, ship, or aircraft sent out to gain information
2. military a person or unit despatched to reconnoitre the position of the enemy
3. sport a person employed by a club to seek new players
4. the act or an instance of scouting
5. (esp at Oxford University) a college servant Compare gyp 3
6. obsolete.
   (in Britain) a patrolman of a motoring organization
7. informal.
   a fellow or companion

verb

1. to examine or observe (anything) in order to obtain information
2. tr; sometimes foll by out or up to seek
3. intr to act as a scout for a sports club
4. intr; foll by about or around to go in search (for)

Scout

³

/ skaʊt /

noun

1. sometimes not capital a boy or (in some countries) a girl who is a member of a worldwide movement (the Scout Association ) founded as the Boy Scouts in England in 1908 by Lord Baden-Powell with the aim of developing character and responsibility See also Air Scout Girl Scout Guide Sea Scout Venture Scout

Derived Forms

• ˈscouter, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scout¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb scouten. skowten, from Old French escouter, escolter, ascolter ( French écouter “to listen”) from Late Latin ascultāre, Latin auscultāre “to listen, listen to”; Middle English noun scoute-, from Old French escoute, derivative of escouter; auscultation

Origin of scout²

First recorded in 1595–1605; perhaps from Old Norse skūta, skūti “abuse, taunting”; shout

Word History and Origins

Origin of scout¹

C17: from Old Norse skūta derision

Origin of scout²

C14: from Old French ascouter to listen to, from Latin auscultāre to auscultate

Idioms and Phrases

see good egg (scout) .

Example Sentences

The brokers then scout out potential “crew members” who can earn substantial discounts for working the journey.

From The Daily Beast

We did a movie down in Durango — Great Scout and Cat House Thursday.

From The Daily Beast

From there, he led groups of Kansa and Osage to scout for Spanish garrisons.

From The Daily Beast

One was about Girl Scout cookies and the other was aptly titled, “I Love It.”

From The Daily Beast

The Boy Scout that a people thought they knew does not exist.

From The Daily Beast

"You must promise never again to leave without permission, or this is your last scout with me," said Harry, sternly.

From Project Gutenberg

So whilst we was eatin' breakfast I begins t' quiz, an', one way an' another, lets on I wanted t' see that Injun scout.

From Project Gutenberg

The periscope is the one part of the submarine scout equipment that is open to vision from the surface.

From Project Gutenberg

I can imagine a scout standing here sending up smoke signals.

From Project Gutenberg

Cousin was there, seated and his head bowed on his chest, a waiting victim for the first Indian scout who might happen along.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• examine
• explore
• inspect