I. ˈskərf, -kə̄f, -kəif noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Icelandic skurfa scurf, Danish skurv; akin to Old English sceorf scurf, Old High German scorf scurf, Old English sceorfan to gnaw, Latin carpere to pluck — more at harvest
1. : material like bran that becomes detached from the epidermis in thin dry scales especially in an abnormal skin condition
2.
a. : anything like flakes or scales adhering to a surface
b. : the foul remains of anything adherent
3. : the offscourings of society : scum
4. : the deposit or covering resembling scales or bran found on some plant parts
5.
a. : a localized or general darkening and roughening of a smooth plant surface that is usually more pronounced than russeting
b. : any of several plant diseases characterized by scurf: as
(1) : a disease of sweet potatoes caused by an imperfect fungus ( Moniliochaetes infuscans )
(2) : silver scurf
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1.
a. : to whiten like scurf
b. : to cover with or as if with scurf
2. : to remove (as scurf) by scraping, rubbing, or wiping
scurfing a patch away from the glazed window — Thomas Wolfe
especially : to remove deposits of carbon from (as the inner surfaces of coal gas retorts or coke ovens)