Main Entry: ¹scour

Pronunciation: \ˈskau̇(-ə)r\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch schuren, from Old French escurer, from Late Latin excurare to clean off, from Latin, to take good care of, from ex- + curare to care for, from cura care

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : to rub hard especially with a rough material for cleansing b : to remove by rubbing hard and washing
2 archaic : to clear (a region) of enemies or outlaws
3 : to clean by purging : purge
4 : to remove dirt and debris from (as a pipe or ditch)
5 : to free from foreign matter or impurities by or as if by washing <scour wool>
6 : to clear, dig, or remove by or as if by a powerful current of waterintransitive verb 1 : to perform a process of scouring
2 : to suffer from diarrhea or dysentery
3 : to become clean and bright by rubbing

— scour·er noun