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

In Sweden, there is currently no general ban, although some ports, such as the Port of Gothenburg, have banned the discharge of scrubber water in their area.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2024

You can also gently scrape the scale off branches and stems with a plastic dish scrubber.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 6, 2024

Lately, it’s been a fast-talking man extolling the virtues of an electric scrubber.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2023

Though Sir Michael was one of the best known TV chat show hosts of all time, he described himself as a "scrubber".

From BBC • Aug. 17, 2023

Big Ma taught me to be a hard washboard scrubber.

From "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia