activate vs scupper

activate

verb
  • To render more reactive; excite. 

  • To organize or create a military unit or station. 

  • To bring a player back after an injury. 

  • To put a device, mechanism (alarm etc.) or system into action or motion; to trigger, to actuate, to set off, to enable. 

  • To render a substance radioactive. 

  • To hasten a chemical reaction, especially by heating. 

  • To remove the limitations of demoware by providing a license; to unlock. 

  • To render a molecule reactive, active, or effective in performing its function. 

  • To encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate. 

  • To aerate in order to aid decomposition of organic matter. 

scupper

verb
  • Thwart or destroy, especially something belonging or pertaining to another. 

noun
  • A similar opening in a wall or parapet that allows water to drain from a roof. 

  • A drainage hole on the deck of a ship. 

How often have the words activate and scupper occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )