scrub 1
— scrubbable , adj.
/skrub/ , v. , scrubbed, scrubbing , n.
v.t.
1. to rub hard with a brush, cloth, etc., or against a rough surface in washing.
2. to subject to friction; rub.
3. to remove (dirt, grime, etc.) from something by hard rubbing while washing.
4. Chem. to remove (impurities or undesirable components) from a gas by chemical means, as sulfur dioxide from smokestack gas or carbon dioxide from exhaled air in life-support packs.
5. to cancel or postpone (a space flight or part of a mission): Ground control scrubbed the spacewalk.
6. Slang. to do away with; cancel: Scrub your vacation plans - there's work to do!
v.i.
7. to cleanse something by hard rubbing.
8. to cleanse one's hands and arms as a preparation to performing or assisting in surgery (often fol. by up ).
n.
9. an act or instance of scrubbing.
10. a canceled or postponed space flight, launching, scheduled part of a space mission, etc.
11. something, as a cosmetic preparation, used for scrubbing.
[ 1300-50; ME scrobben (n.) schrobben ]
scrub 2
/skrub/ , n.
1. low trees or shrubs collectively.
2. a large area covered with low trees and shrubs, as the Australian bush.
3. a domestic animal of mixed or inferior breeding; mongrel.
4. a small or insignificant person.
5. anything undersized or inferior.
6. Sports. a player not belonging to the varsity or regular team; a player who is not first-string.
adj.
7. small, undersized, or stunted.
8. inferior or insignificant.
9. abounding in or covered with low trees and shrubs: They rode through scrub country.
[ 1350-1400; ME skrub brushwood; see SHRUB 1 ]