scape

plural scapes

1. biologyA leafless stalk growing directly out of a root, bulb, or subterranean structure.
2. The basal segment of an insect's antenna (i.e. the part closest to the body).
3. The basal part, more specifically known as the oviscape, of the ovipositor of an insect.
4. architectureThe shaft of a column.
5. architectureThe apophyge of a shaft.

present singular third person scapes · participle present scaping · participle past scaped · past scaped

1. archaictransitiveTo escape (someone or something).

   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

   2 more examples

   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

plural scapes

1. archaicEscape.

   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]

2. obsoleteA means of escape; evasion.
3. obsoleteA 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

4. obsoleteA 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]

plural scapes

1. The cry of the snipe when flushed.
2. The snipe itself.