Scour
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -aʊə(ɹ)
Alternative forms
- scower obsolete
Origin
Middle English, from Middle Dutch scuren, schuren ("to polish, to clean"), and from Old French escurer, both from Late Latin excuro ("clean off"), from Latin ex ("thoroughly") + curo ("take care of")
Full definition of scour
Verb
- To clean, polish, or wash something by scrubbing it vigorously.He scoured the burner pans to remove the burnt spills.
- To remove by rubbing or cleansing; to sweep along or off.He scoured the burnt food from the pan.
- Shakespearewill stain my favors in a bloody mask,
Which, washed away, shall scour my shame with it. - To search an area thoroughly.They scoured the scene of the crime for clues.
- (ambitransitive) To move swiftly over; to brush along.
- Alexander Popewhen swift Camilla scours the plain
- DrydenSo four fierce coursers, starting to the race,
Scour through the plain, and lengthen every pace. - (intransitive, veterinary medicine) Of livestock, to suffer from diarrhea.If a lamb is scouring, do not delay treatment.
- (transitive, veterinary medicine) To purge.to scour a horse
- (obsolete) To cleanse.
- Francis BaconWarm water is softer than cold, for it scoureth better.