Reading Theme:
Scour: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：search thoroughly (scour)
scour
/skaʊər/
vt.
to search a place very carefully to find something or someone.
search thoroughly
➕
/sɜːrtʃ ˈθɜːroʊli/
vt.
To examine or go over a place very carefully and energetically in order to find something.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old French "escurer," meaning to clean, ultimately from Latin "excurare" (ex- "out" + curare "to take care of").
💡 Mnemonic
SCOUR = Search Carefully, Or Use Roughness. The 'our' reminds you to do it thoroughly.
📖 Example
After losing her keys in the park, she spent an hour scouring the grass and benches.
After misplacing her keys in the park, she dedicated an hour to meticulously searching through the grass and benches.
🔗 Collocations
scour the area – to search an area meticulously
scour the internet/records – to search online or archives very carefully
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Originating from the concept of cleaning, its meaning broadened to intensive searching and erosion by natural forces. In modern use, it's common in contexts like police investigations (scouring an area for clues) and online research (scouring the internet for information).
Meaning 2：scrub clean (scour)
scour
/skaʊər/
vt.
to clean something by rubbing it hard with a rough object or chemical.
scrub clean
➕
/ skrʌb kliːn /
vt.
To clean or polish a surface by rubbing it hard with a rough or abrasive material.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
You'll need a strong brush to scour the burnt food off the bottom of this pan.
A sturdy brush is required to scrub the burnt residue off the base of this cooking pan.
🔗 Collocations
scour a pot/pan – to clean a cooking pot by vigorous scrubbing
scour with a brush/pad – to clean using a brush or abrasive pad
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
scourer (n.) – a rough pad or substance used for scouring.
scouring powder (n.) – an abrasive powder used for cleaning.
Meaning 3：erode over time (scour)
scour
/skaʊər/
vt.
if water, wind, etc. scour something, it flows over it and wears it away over time.
erode over time
➕
/ ɪˈroʊd ˈoʊvər taɪm /
vt.
For water, wind, or glaciers to wear away or clear out an area by continuous, forceful flow or movement.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Over millions of years, the river scoured a deep canyon through the mountains.
Over an immense timescale, the river gradually eroded and carved out a profound canyon within the mountainous region.
🔗 Collocations
scoured by glaciers – landscape worn and shaped by the movement of glaciers
scour a channel – for water to wear away a path or groove
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
scour (n.) – the act or result of scouring, especially by water.
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