a long steep slope or cliff at the edge of a plateau or ridge; usually formed by erosion
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a steep artificial slope in front of a fortification
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Scarp \Scarp\, n. [Aphetic form of {Escarp}.] 1. (Fort.) The slope of the ditch nearest the parapet; the escarp.
2. A steep descent or declivity.
Scarp \Scarp\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scarped}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Scarping}.] To cut down perpendicularly, or nearly so; as, to scarp the face of a ditch or a rock.
From scarped cliff and quarried stone. --Tennyson.
Sweep ruins from the scarped mountain. --Emerson.
Scarp \Scarp\, n. [OF. escharpe. See 2d {Scarf}.] (Her.) A band in the same position as the bend sinister, but only half as broad as the latter.
Escarp \Es*carp"\, n. [F. escarpe (cf. Sp. escarpa, It. scarpa), fr. escarper to cut steep, cut to a slope, prob. of German origin: cf. G. scharf sharp,, E. sharp, or perh. scrape.] (Fort.) The side of the ditch next the parapet; -- same as {scarp}, and opposed to {counterscarp}.