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scrape

 - 3 dictionary results

scrape

[skreyp] verb, scraped, scrap⋅ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1. to deprive of or free from an outer layer, adhering matter, etc., or to smooth by drawing or rubbing something, esp. a sharp or rough instrument, over the surface: to scrape a table to remove paint and varnish.
2. to remove (an outer layer, adhering matter, etc.) in this way: to scrape the paint and varnish from a table.
3. to scratch, injure, or mar the surface of in this way: to scrape one's arm on a rough wall.
4. to produce by scraping: He scraped his initials on the rock.
5. to collect or do by or as if by scraping; do or gather laboriously or with difficulty (usually fol. by up or together): They managed to scrape together a football team.
6. to rub harshly on or across (something): Don't scrape the floor with your boots!
7. to draw or rub (a thing) roughly across something: Scrape your shoes on the doormat before you come in.
8. to level (an unpaved road) with a grader.
–verb (used without object)
9. to scrape something.
10. to rub against something gratingly.
11. to produce a grating and unmusical tone from a string instrument.
12. to draw one's foot back noisily along the ground in making a bow.
13. to manage or get by with difficulty or with only the barest margin: I barely scraped through on the test.
14. to economize or save by attention to even the slightest amounts: By careful scraping they managed to survive.
–noun
15. an act or instance of scraping.
16. a drawing back of the foot noisily along the ground in making a bow.
17. a harsh, shrill, or scratching sound made by scraping.
18. a scraped place: a scrape on one's elbow.
19. an embarrassing or distressing situation; predicament: He is always in some kind of a scrape.
20. a difference of opinion, fight, or quarrel; scrap.

Origin:
bef. 1000; (v.) ME scrapen < ON skrapa; r. ME shrapen, OE scrapian to scratch (c. ON skrapa); (n.) late ME: scraper, deriv. of the v.


scrap⋅a⋅ble, adjective
scrapeage, noun


14. scrimp, stint, pinch.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To scrape
scrape   (skrāp)   
v.   scraped, scrap·ing, scrapes

v.   tr.
  1. To remove (an outer layer, for example) from a surface by forceful strokes of an edged or rough instrument: scraped the wallpaper off before painting the wall.

  2. To abrade or smooth by rubbing with a sharp or rough instrument.

  3. To rub (a surface) with considerable pressure, as with an edged instrument or a hard object.

  4. To draw (a hard or abrasive object) forcefully over a surface: scraped my fingernails down the blackboard.

  5. To injure the surface of by rubbing against something rough or sharp: scraped my knee on the sidewalk.

  6. To amass or produce with difficulty: scrape together some cash.

v.   intr.
  1. To come into sliding, abrasive contact.

  2. To rub or move with a harsh grating noise.

  3. To give forth a harsh grating noise.

  4. To economize or save money by paying attention to very small amounts; scrimp.

  5. To succeed or manage with difficulty: scraped through by a narrow margin.

n.  
    1. The act of scraping.

    2. The sound of scraping.

    3. An embarrassing predicament.

    4. A fight; a scuffle.

  1. An abrasion on the skin.

    1. An embarrassing predicament.

    2. A fight; a scuffle.


[Middle English scrapen, from Old Norse skrapa; see sker-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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