verb / noun
scrub
SKRUB/skrʌb/
To remove unwanted material by vigorous rubbing.
The man scrubs grime from the tile with a stiff brush.
Etymology
Middle English scrobben described hard rubbing or scratching. The cleaning sense focuses that same vigorous action on removing dirt, rather than merely making contact with a surface.
In context
she would stand her in the tub scrub her brown body with a coarse washcloth and ivory soap until she was clean enough to enter the lord's house
More examples
- This facial scrub contains fine particles that remove dead skin.
- They scrubbed the launch because of high winds.
- The software scrubs personal information from the records.
Forms
scrub · scrubs · scrubbed · scrubbing
scrubber noun — A tool used for cleaning by rubbing.