What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Scupper vs Derail - What's the difference?

scupper | derail |

As nouns the difference between scupper and derail

is that scupper is (nautical) a drainage hole on the deck of a ship while derail is a device placed on railway tracks causing a train to derail.

As verbs the difference between scupper and derail

is that scupper is (british) thwart or destroy, especially something belonging or pertaining to another; compare scuttle while derail is to cause to come off the tracks.

scupper

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (nautical) A drainage hole on the deck of a ship.
  • (architecture) A similar opening in a wall or parapet that allows water to drain from a roof.
  • Derived terms
    * scupper hose * scupper nail * scupper plug

    Etymology 2

    Of origin.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (British) Thwart or destroy, especially something belonging or pertaining to another; compare scuttle.
  • The bad media coverage scuppered his chances of being elected.
  • * 2002 , Hugo Young, The Guardian (2 Jul):
  • "We can't allow US tantrums to scupper global justice."

    derail

    English

    (wikipedia derail)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A device placed on railway tracks causing a train to derail.
  • The derail was placed deliberately so that the train would fall into the river.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cause to come off the tracks.
  • The train was destroyed when it was derailed by the penny.
  • To come off the tracks.
  • To deviate from the previous course or direction.
  • The conversation derailed once James brought up politics.
  • To cause to deviate from a set course or direction.
  • The protesting students derailed the professor's lecture.

    Derived terms

    * derailment

    Anagrams

    * * * * * English ergative verbs