scourings

American

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

noun

(used with a plural verb)

dirt or refuse removed by scouring. scour.
refuse removed from grain.

scourings British

/ ˈskaʊərɪŋz /

plural noun

the residue left after cleaning grain
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; 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

Many people consider that scourings supplementary to these are only due to habit.

From The Crock of Gold by Stephens, James

Having been fastidiously purified by repeated scourings and ablutions, it proved very useful in preparing our meals, of which fresh fish frequently formed the principal part.

From The Island Home by Dalziel

The re-appearance of Greene and his army in North Carolina, heralded by the scourings of Lee and Pickens, disconcerted the schemes of Lord Cornwallis.

From The Student's Life of Washington; Condensed from the Larger Work of Washington Irving For Young Persons and for the Use of Schools by Irving, Washington

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023