scrape
Noun · VerbOpen English WordNet
Verb (6)scrapes, scraped, scraping
- scratch repeatedly“The cat scraped at the armchair”Synonyms: grateMore general rubMore specific paw
- make by scraping“They scraped a letter into the stone”More general make, create
- cut the surface of; wear away the surface ofSynonyms: scratchscratch upMore general inciseMore specific scuff, claw
- bend the knees and bow in a servile mannerSynonyms: kowtowgenuflectMore general bow
- gather (money or other resources) together over time“She had scraped together enough money for college”“they scratched a meager living”Synonyms: scrape upscratchcome upMore general roll up, collectMore specific nickel-and-dime
- bruise, cut, or injure the skin or the surface of“The boy skinned his knee when he fell”Synonyms: skinMore general injure, wound
Noun (4)scrapes
- a harsh noise made by scraping“the scrape of violin bows distracted her”Synonyms: scrapingscratchscratchingType of noise
- an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn offSynonyms: abrasionscratchexcoriationType of wound, lesionKinds graze, rope burn
- a deep bow with the foot drawn backwards (indicating excessive humility)“all that bowing and scraping did not impress him”Synonyms: scrapingType of bow, bowing
- an indication of damageSynonyms: scratchscarmarkType of blemish, defect
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: Icel. skrapa; akin to Sw. skrapa, Dan. skrabe, D. schrapen, schrabben, G. schrappen, and prob. to E. sharp.
1. To rub over the surface of (something) with a sharp or rough instrument; to rub over with something that roughens by removing portions of the surface; to grate harshly over; to abrade; to make even, or bring to a required condition or form, by moving the sharp edge of an instrument breadthwise over the surface with pressure, cutting away excesses and superfluous parts; to make smooth or clean; as, to scrape a bone with a knife; to scrape a metal plate to an even surface.
2. To remove by rubbing or scraping (in the sense above).
I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.— Ezek. xxvi. 4.
3. To collect by, or as by, a process of scraping; to gather in small portions by laborious effort; hence, to acquire avariciously and save penuriously; — often followed by together or up; as, to scrape money together.
The prelatical party complained that, to swell a number the nonconformists did not choose, but scrape, subscribers.— Thomas Fuller
4. To express disapprobation of, as a play, or to silence, as a speaker, by drawing the feet back and forth upon the floor; — usually with down. Thomas Babington Macaulay
To scrape acquaintance, to seek acquaintance otherwise than by an introduction. George Farquhar
He tried to scrape acquaintance with her, but failed ignominiously.— George W. Cable
1. To rub over the surface of anything with something which roughens or removes it, or which smooths or cleans it; to rub harshly and noisily along.
2. To occupy one's self with getting laboriously; as, he scraped and saved until he became rich. “[Spend] their scraping fathers' gold.” William Shakespeare
3. To play awkwardly and inharmoniously on a violin or like instrument.
4. To draw back the right foot along the ground or floor when making a bow.
1. The act of scraping; also, the effect of scraping, as a scratch, or a harsh sound; as, a noisy scrape on the floor; a scrape of a pen.
2. A drawing back of the right foot when bowing; also, a bow made with that accompaniment. Herbert Spencer
3. A disagreeable and embarrassing predicament out of which one can not get without undergoing, as it were, a painful rubbing or scraping; a perplexity; a difficulty.
The too eager pursuit of this his old enemy through thick and thin has led him into many of these scrapes.— Bp. William Warburton
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54