online medical dictionary | definition of scour

1. To rub hard with something rough, as sand or Bristol brick, especially for the purpose of cleaning; to clean by friction; to make clean or bright; to cleanse from grease, dirt, etc, as articles of dress.

2. To purge; as, to scour a horse.

3. To remove by rubbing or cleansing; to sweep along or off; to carry away or remove, as by a current of water; often with off or away. "[I will] stain my favors in a bloody mask, Which, washed away, shall scour my shame with it." (Shak)

4. [Perhaps a different word; cf. OF. Escorre, escourre, It. Scorrere, both fr. L. Excurrere to run forth. Cf. Excursion] To pass swiftly over; to brush along; to traverse or search thoroughly; as, to scour the coast. "Not so when swift Camilla scours the plain." (Pope) Scouring barrel, a tumbling barrel. See Tumbling.

<chemistry> Scouring cinder, a basic slag, which attacks the lining of a shaft furnace. Scouring rush.

<botany> A kind of fulling mill.

Origin: Akin to LG. Schuren, D. Schuren, schueren, G. Scheuern, Dan. Skure; Sw. Skura; all possibly fr. LL. Escurare, fr. L. Ex + curare to take care. Cf. Cure.

(01 Mar 1998)