scour

verb (1)

\ˈskau̇(-ə)r

scoured; scouring; scours

Definition of scour

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : 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

scour

noun

Definition of scour (Entry 2 of 3)

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 sense 1 also : damage done by scouring action

scour

verb (2)

scoured; scouring; scours

Definition of scour (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to move about quickly especially in search

transitive verb

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

History and Etymology for scour

Verb (1)

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

Verb (2)

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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