scrub

I

[[t]skrʌb[/t]]

v. scrubbed, scrub•bing, n.

1) to rub hard with a brush, cloth, etc., in washing

2) to remove (dirt, grime, etc.) from something by hard rubbing while washing

3) chem. to remove (impurities or undesirable components) from a gas by chemical means

4) cvb aes. Informal. to cancel or postpone, as a rocket launch

5) to cleanse something by hard rubbing

6) cvb to cleanse one's hands and arms as a preparation for performing surgery (often fol. by up)

7) an act or instance of scrubbing

8) cvb a cosmetic preparation used for scrubbing

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Etymology: 1300–50; ME scrobben (n.) < MD schrobben scrub′ba•ble, adj. II

scrub

[[t]skrʌb[/t]] n.

1) bot low trees or shrubs collectively

2) bot a large area covered with low trees and shrubs, as the Australian bush

3) ahb. a domestic animal of mixed or inferior breeding; mongrel

4) anything undersized or inferior

5) spo Sports. a player who is not on the regular, or first-string, team

6) small or stunted

7) inferior or insignificant

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Etymology: 1350–1400; ME < Scand