scavenge

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈskævɪndʒ/
• American: SKAV-inj

Origin

From late Middle English scavage, from Anglo-Norman scawage (inspection of imported goods). Related to the Old North French escauwer meaning "to inspect."

Meanings

1. (v) To search for and collect discarded items or food
2. (v) To salvage usable material from waste or discarded items
3. (v) To feed on dead or decaying matter (used for animals)
4. (technical) To remove unwanted substances or accumulations

Example Sentences

1. "Seagulls scavenge for food along the beach."
2. "The homeless man scavenged through dumpsters looking for recyclables."
3. "Vultures scavenge the remains of dead animals."
4. "The engineer designed a system to scavenge excess heat from the engine."

Related Words

• Forms:
  • scavenged (past tense)
  • scavenging (present participle)
  • scavenger (noun)
  • scavengery (noun)
• Synonyms:
  • forage
  • rummage
  • salvage
  • collect
  • gather

Memory Tricks

• Think "SAVE" in scAVEnge - you're saving/collecting things others have thrown away
• Picture a hungry vulture (a scavenger) to remember the meaning of searching for discarded items
• Remember the phrase "Scavengers SAVE what others waste" to connect the word with its core meaning