scrubber

¹ American  

[skruhb-er] / ˈskrʌb ər /

noun

1. a person who scrubs.

2. a device or process for removing pollutants from smoke or gas produced by burning high-sulfur fuels.

3. a machine or appliance used in scrubbing.

   an automatic floor scrubber.

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scrubber ² American  

[skruhb-er] / ˈskrʌb ər /

noun

1. a mongrel, especially a mongrel steer.

2. a thin or stunted steer.

3. Australian.

   1. an inhabitant of the bush.

   2. any domestic animal that has run off into the bush and become wild, especially a steer.

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scrubber ³ American  

[skruhb-er] / ˈskrʌb ɛr /

noun

British Slang.

1. a prostitute or promiscuous woman.

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scrubber ¹ British  

/ ˈskrʌbə /

noun

1. a person or thing that scrubs

2. an apparatus for purifying a gas

3. derogatory a promiscuous woman

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scrubber ² British  

/ ˈskrʌbə /

noun

1. a domestic animal, esp a bullock, that has run wild in the bush

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Etymology

Origin of scrubber¹

First recorded in 1830–40; scrub ¹ + -er ¹

Origin of scrubber²

First recorded in 1855–60; scrub ² + -er ¹

Origin of scrubber³

First recorded in 1955–60; variously explained as sense development of either scrubber ¹ (in the sense “a person who scrubs; charwoman,” or scrubber ² (in the Australian sense “(female) animal that runs into the bush and becomes wild”; compare earlier scrub in same sense

Example Sentences

Back in Gray's Landing there's a clean-up operation as industrial air scrubbers are placed throughout the complex.

From BBC

If you can afford it, you might rent an air scrubber for a day of high-powered air cleaning.

From Los Angeles Times

They also advise against using thinners, nylon or metal scrubbers, or abrasives - all of which could damage the surface of the toilet seat.

From BBC

In one instance from June 2023, hydrogen sulfide reached a one-hour average of 64 ppb — more than double California’s standard — when Hyperion operators had turned off pollution control devices, or scrubbers, for maintenance.

From Los Angeles Times

Remaining coal-fired power plants now use "scrubber" technology that prevents these chemicals from forming.

From Science Daily