Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SCALP, n. [D. schelp or schulp, a shell. The German has hirnschale, brain-shell. See Scale. But qu. the Ch. Syr. and Ar. קלף, to peel, to bark, and L. scalpo.]

1. The skin of the top of the head; as, a hairless scalp. – Shak.
2. The skin of the top of the head cut or torn off. A scalp among the Indians of America is a trophy of victory.