scour

scour

scour¹ [skour]

vt.

[ME scouren < MDu scuren < ? OFr escurer < VL * excurare, to take great care of < L ex-, intens. + curare, to take care of < cura, care]

1. to clean or polish by vigorous rubbing, as with abrasives, soap and water, etc.; make clean and bright

2. to remove dirt and grease from (wool, etc.)

3.

a) to wash or clear as by a swift current of water; flush

b) to wash away, or remove in this way

4. to clear the intestines of; purge

5. to clean (wheat)

6. to remove as if by cleaning; sweep away; get rid of

vi.

1. to clean things by vigorous rubbing and polishing

2. to become clean and bright by being scoured

n.

1. the act of scouring

2. a cleansing agent used in scouring

3. a scoured place, as a part of a channel where mud has been washed away

4. [usually pl., with sing. v.] dysentery in cattle, etc.

scourer

n.

scour² [skour]

vt.

[ME scouren < ? OFr escourre, to run forth < VL * excurrere < L ex-, out + currere, to run]

to pass over quickly, or range over or through, as in search or pursuit [to scour a town for an escaped convict]

vi.

to run or range about, as in search or pursuit

scourer

n.