[skrʌb], (Verb)

Definitions:
- rub (someone or something) hard so as to clean them, typically with a brush and water
(e.g: he had to scrub the floor)

- cancel or abandon (something)
(e.g: the first two races had to be scrubbed because of blustery winds and rough seas)

- use water to remove impurities from (gas or vapour)
(e.g: the vapour is scrubbed by the condensate)

- (of a driver) allow (a tyre) to slide or scrape across the road surface so as to reduce speed
(e.g: I usually only scrub the front tyre when I get into a turn too hot)

- (of a rider) rub the arms and legs urgently on a horse's neck and flanks to urge it to move faster
(e.g: by now the field was spreadeagled and scrubbing to keep in touch with the hounds)


Phrases:

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

[skrʌb], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an act of scrubbing something or someone
(e.g: give the floor a good scrub)

- a semi-abrasive cosmetic lotion applied to the face or body in order to cleanse the skin
(e.g: don't use facial scrubs if your skin is sensitive)

- special hygienic clothing worn by surgeons during operations
(e.g: Bill emerged from the delivery room in green scrubs)


Phrases:

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

[skrʌb], (Noun)

Definitions:
- vegetation consisting mainly of brushwood or stunted forest growth
(e.g: a desert plain dotted with scrub)

- denoting a shrubby or small form of a plant
(e.g: scrub apple trees)

- an insignificant or contemptible person
(e.g: you are a mean scrub)

- an informal team game played by children in a public area
(e.g: hardly anyone ever plays scrub these days)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘stunted tree’): variant of shrub