Meanings
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1
verb
to search a place, text, or collection thoroughly and energetically
Volunteers scoured the woods for the missing hiker.
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2
verb
to clean a surface by rubbing it hard with a rough material
Use the stiff brush to scour the burnt pan.
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3
verb
to clear away or erode material by a strong flow of water, ice, or air
Floodwater can scour soil from around the bridge supports.
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4
noun
a hollow or channel produced by powerful flowing water or glacial action
Engineers measured the scour beneath the bridge after the storm.
Thesaurus
Etymology
Two Middle English verbs converged in this spelling. The cleaning verb came through Middle Dutch and Old French escurer from Late Latin excurare 'clean off.' The rapid-ranging and searching verb may derive from Old Norse skur 'shower' or a related word for rushing movement. The water-erosion sense extends vigorous cleaning or wearing away.