scrape

[ skreyp ]

verb (used with object)

, scraped, scrap·ing.

1. to deprive of or free from an outer layer, adhering matter, etc., or to smooth by drawing or rubbing something, especially a sharp or rough instrument, over the surface:

   to scrape a table to remove paint and varnish.

2. to remove (an outer layer, adhering matter, etc.) in this way:

   to scrape the paint and varnish from a table.

3. to scratch, injure, or mar the surface of in this way:

   to scrape one's arm on a rough wall.

4. to produce by scraping:

   He scraped his initials on the rock.

5. to collect or do by or as if by scraping; do or gather laboriously or with difficulty (usually followed by up or together ):

   They managed to scrape together a football team.

6. to rub harshly on or across (something):

   Don't scrape the floor with your boots!

7. to draw or rub (a thing) roughly across something:

   Scrape your shoes on the doormat before you come in.

8. to level (an unpaved road) with a grader.
9. Digital Technology. to extract (data) from a digital source for automated replication, formatting, or manipulation by a computer program, as in data mining or website data analysis:

   This project scrapes comments on online forums for linguistic research.

   We can scrape older data from obsolete systems with a very simple interface.

verb (used without object)

, scraped, scrap·ing.

1. to scrape something.
2. to rub against something gratingly.
3. to produce a grating and unmusical tone from a string instrument.
4. to draw one's foot back noisily along the ground in making a bow.
5. to manage or get by with difficulty or with only the barest margin:

   I barely scraped through on the test.

6. to economize or save by attention to even the slightest amounts:

   By careful scraping they managed to survive.

   Synonyms: pinch, stint, scrimp

noun

1. an act or instance of scraping.
2. a drawing back of the foot noisily along the ground in making a bow.
3. a harsh, shrill, or scratching sound made by scraping.
4. a scraped place:

   a scrape on one's elbow.

5. an embarrassing or distressing situation; predicament:

   He is always in some kind of a scrape.

6. a difference of opinion, fight, or quarrel; scrap.
7. Digital Technology.
   1. the process of extracting data from a digital source for automated replication, formatting, or manipulation by a computer program, as in data mining or website data analysis:

      How long will the scrape take to complete?

   2. the product of this process:

      The scrape maliciously copied private content to manipulate search engine rankings.

scrape

/ skreɪp /

verb

1. to move (a rough or sharp object) across (a surface), esp to smooth or clean
2. tr; often foll by away or off to remove (a layer) by rubbing
3. to produce a harsh or grating sound by rubbing against (an instrument, surface, etc)
4. tr to injure or damage by rough contact

   to scrape one's knee

5. intr to be very economical or sparing in the use (of) (esp in the phrase scrimp and scrape )
6. intr to draw the foot backwards in making a bow
7. tr to finish (a surface) by use of a scraper
8. tr to make (a bearing, etc) fit by scraping
9. bow and scrape
   bow and scrape to behave with excessive humility

noun

1. the act of scraping
2. a scraped place
3. a harsh or grating sound
4. informal.
   an awkward or embarrassing predicament
5. informal.
   a conflict or struggle

Derived Forms

• ˈscraper, noun
• ˈscrapable, adjective

Other Words From

• scrapa·ble adjective
• scrapeage noun
• un·scraped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrape¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb scrapen, from Old Norse skrapa (replacing Middle English shrapen Old English scrapian “to scratch”); cognate with Old Norse skrapa; noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrape¹

Old English scrapian; related to Old Norse skrapa, Middle Dutch schrapen, Middle High German schraffen

Idioms and Phrases

see (scrape the) bottom of the barrel ; bow and scrape ; scare (scrape) up .

Example Sentences

A case with a raised edge around the screen can provide a handy bumper that surrounds the display and protects it from small bumps, scrapes, and accidental trips to the floor.

From Popular-Science

After spending weeks on a Conservation Corps in the Arizona desert last fall, my work pants reeked of urine and my legs suffered dozens of scrapes from trying to find a secluded spot to squat in thorny Devils Claw.

From Outside Online

There might some scrapes on it, but unless it gets run over by a car, it really shouldn’t crack or anything.

From Washington Post

Compean, who sustained just a few minor cuts and scrapes, yelled repeatedly to no one in particular.

From Washington Post

You remember it when you park or whenever another car gets a little too close in traffic, given the pricey consequences of a scratch or scrape.

From Ars Technica

Related Words

• clean
• grind
• rub
• shave