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scourings

American  
[skouuhr-ingz, skou-er-] / ˈskaʊər ɪŋz, ˈskaʊ ər- /

noun

(used with a plural verb)
  1. dirt or refuse removed by scouring.

  2. refuse removed from grain.


scourings British  
/ ˈskaʊərɪŋz /

plural noun

  1. the residue left after cleaning grain

  2. residue that remains after scouring

"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

Etymology

Origin of scourings

First recorded in 1580–90; see origin at scour 1, -ing 1, -s 3

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ship's cheese came adulterated with kitchen scourings, rancid fat and glue.

From Time Magazine Archive

But when they had scoured the waterfront boardinghouses, Prince shook his head over their scourings.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham

They do not know, in their pitiable ignorance, the towers and bridges that can be made from the scourings of a washboard factory.

From Hints to Pilgrims by Brooks, Charles Stephen

Ever since the crests of the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains were thrust up above the sea, the river has been wearing them away, and bearing the scourings to the vast plain below.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 810, July 11, 1891 by Various

Nevertheless I had heard many tales of his sayings and his humours, for our curate was not as most others—dull and truculent knaves many of them, according to my thinking—the scourings of the North.

From The Men of the Moss-Hags Being a history of adventure taken from the papers of William Gordon of Earlstoun in Galloway by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

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