scrub

[ skruhb ]

/ skrʌb /

verb (used with object), scrubbed, scrub·bing.

to rub hard with a brush, cloth, etc., or against a rough surface in washing.

to subject to friction; rub.

to remove (dirt, grime, etc.) from something by hard rubbing while washing.

Chemistry. 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.

to cancel or postpone (a space flight or part of a mission): Ground control scrubbed the spacewalk.

Slang. to do away with; cancel: Scrub your vacation plans—there's work to do!

verb (used without object), scrubbed, scrub·bing.

to cleanse something by hard rubbing.

to cleanse one's hands and arms as a preparation to performing or assisting in surgery (often followed by up).

noun

an act or instance of scrubbing.

a canceled or postponed space flight, launching, scheduled part of a space mission, etc.

something, as a cosmetic preparation, used for scrubbing.

Origin of scrub

1300–50; Middle English scrobben (noun) < Middle Dutch schrobben

OTHER WORDS FROM scrub

scrub·ba·ble, adjective non·scrub·ba·ble, adjective

Words nearby scrub

scrounge, scrounge around, scrounge up, scroungy, scrovegni chapel, scrub, scrub bird, scrub brush, scrub fowl, scrub jay, scrub nurse

Definition for scrub up (2 of 2)

scrub-up

[ skruhb-uhp ]

/ ˈskrʌbˌʌp /

noun

the act of washing or bathing thoroughly, especially the aseptic washing by doctors, nurses, etc., before a surgical operation.

Origin of scrub-up

First recorded in 1915–20

British Dictionary definitions for scrub up (1 of 2)

scrub ¹

/ (skrʌb) /

verb scrubs, scrubbing or scrubbed

to rub (a surface) hard, with or as if with a brush, soap, and water, in order to clean it

to remove (dirt), esp by rubbing with a brush and water

(intr foll by up) (of a surgeon) to wash the hands and arms thoroughly before operating

(tr) to purify (a vapour or gas) by removing impurities

(tr) informal to delete or cancel

(intr) horse racing slang (of jockeys) to urge a horse forwards by moving the arms and whip rhythmically forwards and backwards alongside its neck

noun

the act of or an instance of scrubbing

Word Origin for scrub

C14: from Middle Low German schrubben, or Middle Dutch schrobben

British Dictionary definitions for scrub up (2 of 2)

scrub ²

/ (skrʌb) /

noun

vegetation consisting of stunted trees, bushes, and other plants growing in an arid area
(as modifier)scrub vegetation

an area of arid land covered with such vegetation

an animal of inferior breeding or condition
(as modifier)a scrub bull

a small or insignificant person

anything stunted or inferior

sport, US and Canadian a player not in the first team

the scrub Australian informal a remote place, esp one where contact with people can be avoided

adjective

small, stunted, or inferior

sport, US and Canadian

(of a player) not in the first team
(of a team) composed of such players
(of a contest) between scratch or incomplete teams

Word Origin for scrub

C16: variation of shrub 1

Idioms and Phrases with scrub up

scrub up

Thoroughly wash one's hands and forearms, as before performing surgery. For example, The residents had to scrub up in case they were called on to assist with the operation. [c. 1900]

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

scrub

verb (used with object), scrubbed, scrub·bing.

verb (used without object), scrubbed, scrub·bing.

noun

Origin of scrub

OTHER WORDS FROM scrub

Words nearby scrub

Definition for scrub up (2 of 2)

noun

Origin of scrub-up

British Dictionary definitions for scrub up (1 of 2)

verb scrubs, scrubbing or scrubbed

noun

Word Origin for scrub

British Dictionary definitions for scrub up (2 of 2)

noun

adjective

Word Origin for scrub

Idioms and Phrases with scrub up