scarp
UK: skɑːp | US: skɑːrp
n. a steep slope or cliff formed by erosion or faulting
vt. to cut or make into a steep slope
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The word "scarp" originates from the Italian scarpa, meaning "slope" or "shoe" (metaphorically referencing a steep incline). It entered English in the late 16th century via military terminology, describing the inner wall of a ditch in fortifications. Over time, it broadened to describe any steep natural or artificial slope. The Italian root likely derives from the Germanic skarpaz (sharp), reflecting the abrupt angle of such slopes.
The hikers struggled to climb the rocky scarp.
Engineers scarpped the hillside to prevent landslides.
The castle's defenses included a deep moat and a steep scarp.
Erosion has created a dramatic scarp along the coastline.
The geologist studied the layers exposed in the scarp.