scavenger
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Alternative forms
- skavenger (obsolete)
[edit] Etymology
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.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
scavenger (plural scavengers)
- (obsolete) A street sweeper.
- Someone who scavenges, especially one who searches through rubbish for food or useful things.
- An animal that feeds on decaying matter such as carrion.
- (chemistry) A substance used to remove impurities from the air or from a solution.
[edit] Translations
animal feeding on decaying matter
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substance to remove impurities
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