I. To cut, carve, scrape, scratch, engrave (class.; syn. caelo), said of surface work, = ξέειν; sculpo, of deeper work, high relief, or statuary, = γλύφω: “ad pingendum, ad fingendum, ad scalpendum apta manus est,” Cic. N. D. 2, 60, 150: “Phidiam tradunt scalpsisse marmora,” Plin. 36, 5, 4, § 15: “marmora ac scyphos,” id. 35, 11, 40, § 128 (Sillig, sculpsit): “gemmas,” id. 37, 10, 65, § 177: “flores et acanthi eleganter scalpti,” Vitr. 2, 7, 4.—Poet.: “sepulcro querelam,” to carve, Hor. C. 3, 11, 52.—Transf., to scratch: “terram unguibus,” to scratch, dig, Hor. S. 1, 8, 26; Col. 7, 5, 6: “exulceratam verrucam,” Suet. Dom. 16: nates, Pompon. ap. Non. 516, 26: “caput uno digito,” Juv. 9, 133: scalpendo tantum ferreis unguibus, Plin. 13, 7, 14, § 56.—*
II. Trop., in mal. part., to tickle, titillate: “tremulo scalpuntur ubi intima versu,” Pers. 1, 21.