ˈskavə̇nj verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: back-formation from scavenger
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to dislodge or gather and remove (dirt, waste, or impurities) from cast-off matter
sea gulls … scavenge the remains of the daily fish market — Arnold Bennett
(2) : to remove (burned gases) from the cylinder of an internal combustion engine by special means (as a long exhaust pipe or piston-controlled ports in the cylinder wall)
b.
(1) : to remove dirt, waste, or impurities from (as a street or chemical solution)
(2) : to clean and purify (molten metal) by taking up foreign elements (as oxygen) in chemical union
2.
a. : to extract or collect (something for use) from discarded material
with no food, money, or work permits, … his friends headed south, eating anything they could scavenge — Time
b. : to extract or collect usable material from
lighted false beacons for mariners and scavenged the wreckage down to the boots of the drowned sailors — Robert Hatch
3. : to hunt in for wanted or usable material obtainable at no cost
he gathered material for … settings by scavenging museums, textile and rubber factories — Stephen Winship
intransitive verb
1. : to remove dirt, waste, or impurities from a space or substance
2. : to remove the burned gases from the cylinder of an internal-combustion engine after a working stroke
3. : to extract or collect something for use from material regarded as useless
another way of gathering parts is by scavenging off wrecked vehicles — Infantry Journal
: appropriate for use what otherwise would go to waste : exploit leavings
4. : to search about for wanted or usable material usually obtainable at no cost : hunt — usually used with for
women who scavenge for scrap brass on the artillery range