scower

Verb (1)

scour (third-person singular simple present scours, present participle scouring, simple past and past participle scoured)

1. (transitive) To clean, polish, or wash (something) by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously, frequently with an abrasive or cleaning agent.
   • He scoured the burnt food from the pan.
2. (transitive) To remove debris and dirt (from something) by purging; to sweep along or off by a current of water.
   • I will redeeme all this on Percies head, / And in the cloſing of ſome glorious day / Be bold to tell you that I am your ſonne, / When I will weare a garment all of bloud, / And ſtaine my fauors in a bloudy maske, / Which waſht away ſhall ſcoure my ſhame with it, […]c. 1597 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The History of Henrie the Fourth; […], quarto edition, London: […] P[eter] S[hort] for Andrew Wise, […], published 1598, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]
3. (transitive) To clear the digestive tract (of an animal) by administering medication that induces defecation or vomiting; to purge.
   • to scour a horse
4. (ambitransitive) To (cause livestock to) suffer from diarrhoea or dysentery.
   • If a lamb is scouring, do not delay treatment.
5. (ambitransitive, obsolete) To cleanse (something) without rubbing.
   • It is reported, that in ſome Lakes, the Water is ſo Nitrous, as if Foule Cloathes be put into it, it ſcoureth them of it ſelfe: And if they ſtay any whit long, they moulder away. And the Scouring Vertue of Nitre is the more to be noted, becauſe it is a Body Cold; And wee ſee Warme Water ſcoureth...1631, Francis [Bacon], “IV. Century. [Experiment Solitary Touching Nitre [marginal note].]”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], 3rd edition, London: […] William Rawley...

Verb (2)

scour (third-person singular simple present scours, present participle scouring, simple past and past participle scoured)

1. (transitive) To search an area thoroughly.
   • They scoured the scene of the crime for clues.

See all 12 meanings of scour