scrapper

¹ American  

[skrap-er] / ˈskræp ər /

noun

1. a person who removes or does away with scraps. scrap.

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scrapper ² American  

[skrap-er] / ˈskræp ər /

noun

Informal.

1. a fighter or aggressive competitor, especially one always ready or eager for a fight, argument, or contest.

   the best lightweight scrapper in boxing; a rugged political scrapper.

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Etymology

Origin of scrapper¹

First recorded in 1640–50; scrap ¹ + -er ¹

Origin of scrapper²

First recorded in 1870–75; scrap ² + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Yet the long-term forecasts are for copper prices to rise in order to sufficiently motivate miners, refiners and scrappers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Guralnick’s new book is the story of an immigrant scrapper who became a kingmaker with his unerring instinct for the main chance.

From Los Angeles Times

Gawky and bespectacled but with the brio of a scrapper, Pearlman was dressed like a quintessential sports geek: black-and-yellow Pittsburgh Pirates hat and Pittsburgh Maulers shirt, the latter a long-gone professional football team.

From Los Angeles Times

Harris came across as a tough scrapper who could think on her feet and conceivably handle the rigors of the Oval Office.

From Los Angeles Times

A scrapper, fighter, hustler and striver, Inez — portrayed by Taylor in a fierce, career-defining turn — will not back down when it comes to the son she insists on fighting for.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• assailant
• boxer
• champion
• combatant
• mercenary
• militant
• opponent
• soldier
• tanker
• warlord
• warrior