Scavenger

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈskæv.É™n.dÊ’É™(ɹ)/

Alternative forms

• skavenger obsolete

Origin

From Middle English scavager, from Old French scawageour ("one who had to do with scavage, inspector, tax collector"), from Old French *scawage, *scavage, escavage, escauwage ("scavage"), alteration of escauvinghe (compare also Medieval Latin scewinga, sceawinga), from Middle English schewing ("inspection, examination"), from Old English scēawung ("reconnoitering, surveying, inspection, examination, scrutiny"), equivalent to showing.

Full definition of scavenger

Noun

1. (obsolete) A street sweeper.
2. Someone who scavenges, especially one who searches through rubbish for food or useful things.
3. An animal that feeds on decaying matter such as carrion.
4. (chemistry) A substance used to remove impurities from the air or from a solution.

Derived terms