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scrub¹ Definition

scrub (skrub)

noun

    1. a scraggly, stunted tree or shrub
    2. short, stunted trees, bushes, or shrubs growing thickly together
    3. land covered with such growth
    1. any animal or thing smaller than the usual, or inferior in quality, breed, etc.
    2. any small or insignificant person
  1. Sports
    1. a player not on the varsity squad or regular team
    2. a secondary or practice team made up of such players

Etymology: ME, var. of shrubbe, shrub, infl. ? by ON skroppa, a lean creature

adjective

  1. mean; poor; inferior
  2. undersized, undernourished, or stunted
  3. Sports of or for the scrubs

scrub² Definition

scrub (skrub)

transitive verb scrubbed, scrub·bing

  1. to clean or wash by rubbing or brushing hard
  2. to remove (dirt, etc.) by brushing or rubbing
  3. to rub hard
  4. to cleanse (a gas) of impurities
  5. Informal
    1. to cancel or call off (esp. a rocket launch before or during the countdown)
    2. to get rid of; eliminate

Etymology: ME scrobben, prob. < Scand, as in Dan skrubbe, Norw dial. skrubba, to rub hard, akin to MLowG schrubben < IE base *(s)ker-, to cut > scrape

intransitive verb

to clean something by rubbing, as with a brush

noun

  1. the act of scrubbing
  2. a person who scrubs

scrub Synonyms

scrub

modif.

  1. Inferior

    second-rate, unimportant, mediocre; see poor 2.

  2. Dwarf

    stunted, puny, diminutive; see little 1.

scrub* Synonyms

scrub*

n.

runt, mongrel, cur, cull, dwarf, an undesirable, inferior example; see also runt 1.

scrub Synonyms

scrub

v.

rub, cleanse, scour; see clean, wash 1, 2.

scrub Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • exfoliate: If you have time, soak the feet once again and massage with a foot exfoliating scrub.
  • encroach: To provide suitable conditions for the reserve's specialist soldier flies encroaching scrub is periodically cut back from around wet flushes.

Preposition: in

northwest: In the scrub in the northwest of Mill Hill there were two Speckled Wood Butterflies and a single Peacock Butterfly.

Adjective modifier

  • spp.: The constituent willows of Sub-Arctic Salix spp. scrub also occur occasionally in a range of other habitats, including several Annex I types.
  • hazel: On the steeper slopes hazel scrub and upland mixed ashwood have developed.
  • thorny: Please bring warm clothes, stout boots and gloves as there will be sawing and removing thorny scrub involved.
  • montane: Site selection rationale The SAC series reflects the UK's special responsibilities for conserving montane willow scrub.
  • arid: Eventually we will reach the pass and the lush cloud forests give way first to Puna then arid montane scrub.
  • birch: In 1992 BTCV cleared most of the birch scrub to address the problem.

Modifies a noun

  • encroachment: Scrub encroachment is the common result, sometimes together with invasive species problems.
  • clearance: Scrub clearance is also continuing apace on the upper end of the line.
  • bashing: NWPG return to the W & A for the weekend of 14/15th January when we plan some scrub bashing and bonfires.
  • jay: They also sounded much different than the usual scrub jay chatter.
  • typhus: A number of rodents serve as reservoirs for human diseases, such as bubonic plague, tularemia, scrub typhus, and others.

Noun used with modifier

  • juniper: Juniper scrub in the Durham area What is the state of juniper scrub in the Durham area?
  • gorse: At the latter sites, gorse scrub may also occur.
  • hawthorn: At the southwestern edge of the wood there is an area of hawthorn scrub surrounding a small area of flower-rich grassland.
  • willow: Oakwood And Ash Plantation Consists of woodland, grassland, willow scrub and water, and a network of woodland paths.
  • acacia: This consists largely of fairly open areas with stands of gingerbread plum and other small trees, acacia scrub and some Rhun palms.
  • blackthorn: Hawthorn and blackthorn scrub has covered areas of the banks turning them into a haven for warblers and spotted flycatcher.

Browse dictionary entries near scrub

  1. scroungy
  2. scrounge
  3. scrouge
  4. scrotum
  5. Scrooge
  6. scrooch
  7. scrollwork
  8. scroll saw
  9. scroll
  10. scrofulous
  1. scrub typhus
  2. scrubbed
  3. scrubber
  4. scrubbing
  5. scrubby
  6. scrubland
  7. scrubs
  8. scrubwoman
  9. scruff
  10. scruffy