scavenge

[skav-inj]

verb (used with object)

scavenged, scavenging 

1. to take or gather (something usable) from discarded material.

2. to cleanse of filth, as a street.

3. to expel burnt gases from (the cylinder of an internal-combustion engine).

4. Metallurgy.,  to purify (molten metal) by introducing a substance that will combine chemically with impurities.

verb (used without object)

scavenged, scavenging 

1. to act as a scavenger.

2. (of an engine or cylinder) to become scavenged of burnt gases.

3. to search, especially for food.

scavenge

/ ˈskævɪndʒ /

verb

1. to search for (anything usable) among discarded material

2. (tr) to purify (a molten metal) by bubbling a suitable gas through it. The gas may be inert or may react with the impurities

3. to clean up filth from (streets, etc)

4. chem to act as a scavenger for (atoms, molecules, ions, radicals, etc)

Other Word Forms

• unscavenged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scavenge¹

First recorded in 1635–45; back formation from scavenger

Example Sentences

Heavy and jagged portions of the floors and walls sat in piles where tree roots and vines had pushed through and wound around the remains of scavenged equipment, a kind of mechanical carnage.

From Salon

Though they're not inherently dirty animals, rats scavenge in sewers and bins and can pass on serious diseases to humans.

From BBC

Even the kinder ones who persuade her and Andy to join them on a scavenging run to what looks like an abandoned space station treat him as expendable.

From Salon

What the scientists are not able to prove conclusively is whether this particular, unfortunate terror bird was killed in the attack, or if the caiman scavenged its remains.

From BBC

"You'll be able to get yourself a job and make money for yourself. Then you won't have to hustle and scavenge around here any more."

From BBC

Related Words

• check 
• comb 
• examine 
• explore 
• go through 
• hunt 
• hunt for www.thesaurus.com
• inspect 
• investigate 
• look 
• probe 
• ransack 
• scan 
• scour 
• scout 
• scrutinize 
• seek 
• sift