scrub

scrub¹

—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.) < MD schrobben]

scrub²

/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 < Scand; cf. dial. Dan skrub brushwood; see SHRUB¹]

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