scrub

scrub

scrub¹ [skrub]

n.

[ME, var. of shrubbe, SHRUB¹, infl. ? by ON skroppa, a lean creature]

1.

a) a scraggly, stunted tree or shrub

b) short, stunted trees, bushes, or shrubs growing thickly together

c) land covered with such growth

2.

a) any animal or thing smaller than the usual, or inferior in quality, breed, etc.

b) any small or insignificant person

☆ 3. Sports

a) a player not on the varsity squad or regular team

b) [pl.] a secondary or practice team made up of such players

adj.

1. mean; poor; inferior

2. undersized, undernourished, or stunted

☆ 3. Sports of or for the scrubs

scrub² [skrub]

vt.

scrubbed, scrubbing [ME scrobben, prob. < Scand, as in Dan skrubbe, Norw dial. skrubba, to rub hard, akin to MLowG schrubben < IE base * (s)ker-, to cut > SCRAPE]

1. to clean or wash by rubbing or brushing hard

2. to remove (dirt, etc.) by brushing or rubbing

3. to rub hard

4. to cleanse (a gas) of impurities

5. Informal

a) to cancel or call off (esp. a rocket launch before or during the countdown)

b) to get rid of; eliminate

vi.

to clean something by rubbing, as with a brush

n.

1. the act of scrubbing

2. a person who scrubs