scrub
1 (skrŭb)
[Middle English scrobben, to currycomb a horse, from Middle Dutch schrobben, to clean by rubbing, scrape.]
verb: scrubbed, scrub·bing, scrubs.
transitive verb
- To rub hard in order to clean.
- To remove (dirt or stains) by hard rubbing.
- To remove impurities from (a gas) chemically.
- Slang To cancel or abandon; drop: We had to scrub our plans for vacation.
intransitive verb
- To clean or wash something by hard rubbing: Don't forget to scrub behind your ears.
noun
- The act or an instance of scrubbing.
- The articles of clothing that make up a scrub suit.
phrasal verbs
- scrub up
- To wash the hands and arms thoroughly, as before performing or participating in surgery.
derivatives
- scrub́ba·ble
- adjective
scrub
2 (skrŭb)
[Middle English, variant of schrubbe; see shrub1.]
noun
- A straggly, stunted tree or shrub.
- A growth or tract of stunted vegetation.
- An undersized or poorly developed domestic animal.
- An undersized or insignificant person.
- Sports A player not on the varsity or first team.
- Australian Remote rural land; the bush.
