scour

verb \ ˈskau̇(-ə)r \

Definition of scour

scoured; scouring; scours

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 (something, such 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 water

intransitive verb

1 : to perform a process of scouring

2 : to suffer from diarrhea or dysentery

3 : to become clean and bright by rubbing

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scourer

noun

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Origin and Etymology of scour

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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scour

noun

Definition of scour

1 : a place scoured by running water

2 : scouring action (as of a glacier)

3 : diarrhea, dysentery —usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

4 : scouring 1; also : damage done by scouring action

First Known Use of scour

1681

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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scour

verb

Definition of scour

scoured; scouring; scours

intransitive verb

: to move about quickly especially in search

transitive verb

: to go through or range over in or as if in a search

Origin and Etymology of scour

Middle English scuren, skouren, probably from scour, noun, (in phrase god scour quickly), perhaps from Old Norse skūr shower; akin to Old English scūr shower — more at shower

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First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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