Scape (?), n. [L. scapus shaft,
stem, stalk; cf. Gr. ? a staff: cf. F. scape. Cf.
Scepter.] 1. (Bot.) A peduncle
rising from the ground or from a subterranean stem, as in the stemless
violets, the bloodroot, and the like.
2. (Zoöl.) The long basal joint of
the antennæ of an insect.
3. (Arch.) (a) The
shaft of a column. (b) The apophyge of a
shaft.
Scape, v. t. & i. [imp. & p.
p. Scaped (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Scaping.] [Aphetic form of escape.] To
escape. [Obs. or Poetic.] Milton.
Out of this prison help that we may
scape.
Chaucer.Scape, n. 1. An
escape. [Obs.]
I spake of most disastrous chances, . . .
Of hairbreadth scapes in the imminent, deadly
breach.
Shak.
2. Means of escape; evasion. [Obs.]
Donne.
3. A freak; a slip; a fault; an
escapade. [Obs.]
Not pardoning so much as the scapes of error and
ignorance.
Milton.
4. Loose act of vice or lewdness. [Obs.]
Shak.