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scavenger
[ skav-in-jer ]
/ ˈskæv ɪn dʒər /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
Definition of scavenger
noun
an animal or other organism that feeds on dead organic matter.
a person who searches through and collects items from discarded material.
a street cleaner.
Chemistry. a chemical that consumes or renders inactive the impurities in a mixture.
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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Words nearby scavenger
scaup, scauper, scaur, scavenge, scavenge pump, scavenger, scavenger beetle, scavenger hunt, scavenger's daughter, scavenge stroke, Sc.B.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use scavenger in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for scavenger
scavenger
/ (ˈskævɪndʒə) /
noun
a person who collects things discarded by others
any animal that feeds on decaying organic matter, esp on refuse
a substance added to a chemical reaction or mixture to counteract the effect of impurities
a person employed to clean the streets
Derived forms of scavenger
scavengery, nounWord Origin for scavenger
C16: from Anglo-Norman scawager, from Old Norman French escauwage examination, from escauwer to scrutinize, of Germanic origin; related to Flemish scauwen
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for scavenger
scavenger
[ skăv′ən-jər ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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