scavenger

[skav-in-jer]

noun

1. an animal or other organism that feeds on dead organic matter.

2. a person who searches through and collects items from discarded material.

3. a street cleaner.

4. Chemistry.,  a chemical that consumes or renders inactive the impurities in a mixture.

scavenger

/ ˈskævɪndʒə /

noun

1. a person who collects things discarded by others

2. any animal that feeds on decaying organic matter, esp on refuse

3. a substance added to a chemical reaction or mixture to counteract the effect of impurities

4. a person employed to clean the streets

scavenger

1. An animal that feeds on dead organisms, especially a carnivorous animal that eats dead animals rather than or in addition to hunting live prey. Vultures, hyenas, and wolves are scavengers.

Other Word Forms

• scavengery noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scavenger¹

1520–30; earlier scavager < Anglo-French scawageour, equivalent to ( e ) scawage inspection ( escaw ( er ) to inspect < Middle Dutch schauwen to look at (cognate with show ) + -age -age ) + -eour -or ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of scavenger¹

C16: from Anglo-Norman scawager, from Old Norman French escauwage examination, from escauwer to scrutinize, of Germanic origin; related to Flemish scauwen

Example Sentences

A “death file” should contain essential documents such as birth and marriage certificates, divorce decrees, life insurance policies, and a list of financial accounts to prevent a scavenger hunt for information.

Read more on Barron's

For a fee starting at $225 a person, attendees get flashlight tours of exhibits including the fossil halls, do scavenger hunts, play trivia games and have bedtime snacks.

Read more on Barron's

For families, the museum provides a special guide and activities that include a scavenger hunt, try-on clothing and a selfie station.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I was reminded of old-fashioned adventure video games, where one is prompted to look at objects, combine them or go on scavenger hunts, like the one prompted by the puppet I met in an alley.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Those who complete the mini scavenger hunt will be given a free gift at Paper Plant, which Niimura is keeping a secret.

Read more on Los Angeles Times