scavenge
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.scav·enge
verb \ˈska-vənj, -vinj\scav·engedscav·eng·ing
Definition of SCAVENGE
transitive verb
1
a (1) : to remove (as dirt or refuse) from an area (2) : to clean away dirt or refuse from : cleanse <scavenge a street> b : to feed on (carrion or refuse)
2
a : to remove (burned gases) from the cylinder of an internal combustion engine after a working stroke b : to remove (as an undesirable constituent) from a substance or region by chemical or physical means c : to clean and purify (molten metal) by taking up foreign elements in chemical union
3
: to salvage from discarded or refuse material; also : to salvage usable material from
intransitive verb
: to work or act as a scavenger
See Examples of SCAVENGE
- Rats scavenged in the trash.
- The bears scavenged the woods for food.
- He scavenged the town dump for automobile parts.
Origin of SCAVENGE
back-formation from scavenger
First Known Use: circa 1644
Learn More About SCAVENGE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: scavenge pipe
Previous Word in the Dictionary: scavager
All Words Near: scavenge
Previous Word in the Dictionary: scavager
All Words Near: scavenge
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up scavenge? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
