Meaning & Definition of word "Scavenger"
Scavenger
/ˈskævɪn(d)ʒər/
noun:
- 1. An organism that feeds on carrion, refuse, or other organic matter.
- Example: The hyena is known as a scavenger, often feeding on the remains of animals killed by predators.
- 2. A person who collects or searches through waste for useful items.
- Example: The scavenger rummaged through the garbage bins, hoping to find something valuable.
- 3. A person or thing that scavenges.
- Example: The city hired a scavenger to clean up the litter in the park.
- 4. A chemical agent that removes unwanted particles from a reaction mixture.
- Example: In chemical processes, a scavenger can be used to eliminate toxins produced during the reaction.
Etymology
●Middle English: from Old French 'escavanger', from 'escavare', meaning 'to remove' or 'to clean out'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
scavenger hunt:
A game in which participants search for specific items in a certain area.
urban scavenger:
A person who collects discarded items in a city environment.
Related Words
carrion:
The decaying flesh of dead animals.
decomposer:
An organism that breaks down dead or decaying organisms.
Slang Meanings of scavenger
Meaning: A person who takes things from trash or junk.
● Example Sentence: He's a scavenger, always picking through the bins for something useful.
Meaning: Someone who benefits from others' leftovers.
● Example Sentence: At the party, she was a scavenger, eating whatever was left on the table.