I. ˈskau̇(ə)r, -au̇ə verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English scuren, scouren, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish skura to rush
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to hurry about in search of something
scoured over the hillside for kindling
b. : to move rapidly : rush
wild as a hare … scoured thro' the heather — Hilary Corke
scoured on my way with more speed than before — George Borrow
2. obsolete : to roister violently through the streets
transitive verb
1.
a. : to move rapidly through (a region or area)
each bishop was a missionary … scouring the surrounding districts — G.G.Coulton
b. : to range usually rapidly through (a region or area) in search of something
scoured the town in vain for more yellow roses — Edith Wharton
scoured Europe in search of cheap labor — American Guide Series: Massachusetts
c. : to make a thorough examination or search of
scoured all the official documents and wrote his novel
2. obsolete : to subject to rough treatment while roistering
Synonyms: see seek
II. noun
( -s )
: rapid motion : rush
the white-hot scour of racing gases — J.N.Leonard
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English scouren, probably from Middle Dutch schuren, from Old French escurer, from Late Latin excurare to clean off, from Latin ex- + curare to care for, cleanse — more at cure
transitive verb
1.
a. : to rub hard especially with a rough material for the purpose of cleansing : make clean and bright by friction and washing
scoured the pans until they gleamed
b. : to remove by rubbing hard and washing
scoured the stains off with strong soap
c. : to take the flesh from (a hide) by rubbing
2. archaic : to make (a region or area) free (as from undesired occupants) : rid
scour me this famous realm of enemies — Francis Beaumont & John Fletcher
3. : to clean by purging : purge
4. obsolete : beat , punish
I will pay the dog, I will scour him — Henry Fielding
5. : to clear (as a pipe or ditch) by removing dirt and debris
6. : to cleanse from natural impurities or processing liquids ; especially : to cleanse (raw wool) by washing
7. archaic : to rake with gunfire
8. : to remove as if by rubbing or cleaning ; especially : to carry off (as by a flood)
the tide enters far up each channel scouring out mud and sand — Charles Lyell
9.
a. : to clear or dig by a powerful current of water
at time of flood the stream may break across and scour out a channel through the narrow neck between adjacent meanders — C.A.Cotton
b. : to wear away (as by water, ice, or wind) : erode
was born of lean land but raised on newer better soils before they were wracked and scoured — Russell Lord
the tops of hills and level places where there was only a small amount of mantlerock were scoured by the continental glaciers — E.B.Branson & W.A.Tarr
10. : to free (grain) from dust, loose bran, and other wastes by blowing while rubbing against a rough surface
intransitive verb
1. : to perform a process of scouring
scoured at rusted spots — Monsanto Magazine
2. : to suffer from diarrhea or dysentery : purge
3.
a. : to pass through the ground in soil tillage without any soil clinging to the smooth blade of the cultivating implement
this plow scours well
b. : to become polished when in contact with the soil
IV. noun
( -s )
1. : a place scoured by running water
2.
a. : the scouring action of a current of water or a glacier
b.
(1) : an artificial current of water that is used to remove mud or other deposit from the bed of a stream
(2) : an engineering structure built to produce such a current
3. Scotland : a hearty swig
4. : diarrhea , dysentery — usually used in plural but sing. or plural in constr.
5. : scouring