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   scrub

   /skrʌb/

   verb

   • 1. rub (someone or something) hard so as to clean them, typically with a brush and water: "he had to scrub the floor" Similar scourrubbrushspongeswabcleancleansewashwipe
   • ▪ remove dirt by rubbing hard: "it took ages to scrub off the muck"
   • ▪ thoroughly clean one's hands and arms before performing surgery: "the doctor scrubbed up and donned a protective gown"
   • ▪ (of a person) have a smart and well-groomed appearance after making a deliberate effort: informal British "the band scrub up well to play weddings and parties"
   • 2. cancel or abandon (something): informal "the first two races had to be scrubbed because of blustery winds and rough seas" Similar abolishscrapthrow outabandondropdo away withgive updiscontinuetake awaystopput an end tocancelcall offeliminatecutjettisondiscardforget (about)abortinformal:axeditchdumpjunkOpposite keeprestore
   • 3. use water to remove impurities from (gas or vapour): "the vapour is scrubbed by the condensate"
   • 4. (of a driver) allow (a tyre) to slide or scrape across the road surface so as to reduce speed: "I usually only scrub the front tyre when I get into a turn too hot"
   • ▪ (of a driver) reduce (speed) by allowing the tyres to slide or scrape across the road surface: "he slammed the bike down on the cases to scrub off speed"
   • 5. (of a rider) rub the arms and legs urgently on a horse's neck and flanks to urge it to move faster: "by now the field was spreadeagled and scrubbing to keep in touch with the hounds"

   noun

   • 1. an act of scrubbing something or someone: "give the floor a good scrub"
   • 2. a semi-abrasive cosmetic lotion applied to the face or body in order to cleanse the skin: "don't use facial scrubs if your skin is sensitive"
   • 3. special hygienic clothing worn by surgeons during operations: informal "Bill emerged from the delivery room in green scrubs"

   Word Origin late 16th century: probably from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch schrobben, schrubben.

   Derivatives

   • 1. scrubbable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • S

     1

   • C

     3

   • R

     1

   • U

     1

   • B

     3

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