Scavenge Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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scavenge

[ˈskæv.ɪndʒ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

hunt for or collect scraps

To scavenge means to search for or collect discarded items, especially food or materials. It often involves searching through trash or waste in order to find something useful. Scavenging is typically done out of necessity, such as by animals in the wild or by people living in poverty.

Synonyms

forage, hunt, rummage, search.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scavenge	Used when describing the act of searching for or collecting items, typically in a way that suggests desperation or survival. Often associated with animals or people looking for food or resources in trash or discarded materials. The vulture scavenged for food among the carcasses. During the apocalypse, people had to scavenge for supplies to survive.
rummage	Refers to searching through things in a disorderly or hurried way, often suggesting disorganization or looking for something lost. He rummaged through the drawer to find his keys. They rummaged through the old boxes in the attic looking for memories.
forage	Mostly used to describe searching for food, especially plants or small animals, in a natural environment. It is often related to animals or humans living off the land. The deer foraged for berries in the forest. They had to forage for edible plants during their hiking trip.
search	A general term for looking for something, whether methodically or randomly; usually indicates a purposeful attempt to find something specific. The police searched the area for clues. I need to search for my missing book.
hunt	Implies actively pursuing or tracking animals or prey, often with the intention of capturing or killing them. Can also be used metaphorically for searching hard for something specific. The lion hunts its prey with stealth and precision. She spent weeks hunting for the perfect job.

Examples of usage

I saw a group of birds scavenging for food in the park.
People in the slums often scavenge through garbage bins to find items to sell or use.
The homeless man scavenged through the dumpster for something to eat.
We need to scavenge for firewood to keep warm tonight.
The raccoon scoured the area, scavenging for anything edible.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

remove undesirable elements

Another meaning of scavenge is to remove or eliminate undesirable elements from a process or environment. This is commonly used in the context of cleaning or purifying air, water, or oil by filtering out impurities or pollutants.

Synonyms

cleanse, filter, purify, remove.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scavenge	Typically used when talking about searching for and collecting usable items from discarded or abandoned materials. It often implies desperation or necessity. The stray dog had to scavenge for food in the garbage bins. Survivors of the shipwreck tried to scavenge supplies from the remains.
cleanse	Used when talking about thoroughly cleaning something to remove dirt, toxins, or impurities. It can also have a spiritual or emotional connotation, meaning to purify or heal emotional or spiritual states. She wanted to cleanse her face before going to bed. Meditation can help cleanse the mind of stress.
purify	Usually refers to making something pure, free from contaminants or pollutants. It is often used in the context of water, air, or even moral and spiritual purity. The goal is to purify the drinking water by removing harmful bacteria. Rituals were performed to purify the temple.
filter	Often used when discussing the process of removing unwanted particles or impurities from a liquid, gas, or other materials. It is also used in digital contexts to describe the process of sorting data or content. The water filter needs to be replaced every six months. You can filter your search results to show only the most relevant matches.
remove	A general term referring to taking something away from a place or position. It can be used in many contexts, including physical, digital, or abstract. Please remove your shoes before entering the house. They had to remove outdated files from the computer.

Examples of usage

The air conditioning system in the car helps to scavenge dust and pollen from the air.
The water treatment plant uses various methods to scavenge contaminants from the drinking water.
Our body's immune system is designed to scavenge harmful bacteria and viruses.
The oil refinery has special equipment to scavenge sulfur compounds from the crude oil.
The vacuum cleaner can scavenge pet hair and dirt from the carpet effectively.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Ecological Impact

Scavenging plays a vital role in ecosystems, as many animals, like vultures and hyenas, help keep environments clean by consuming dead animals.
Urban scavenging has become important for sustainability, as it encourages recycling and helps reduce landfill waste.

Psychology

Research shows that scavenging behavior can be linked to survival instincts, as individuals often seek resources in their environment to thrive.
Psychologically, scavenging can also be influenced by economic factors, where individuals or communities look for alternatives to reduce expenses.

Pop Culture

In various movies and video games, characters often scavenge for supplies in post-apocalyptic settings, highlighting human ingenuity and resilience.
Television shows like 'Hoarders' often showcase how people's accumulated items can lead to scavenging behavior in their attempts to declutter.

Literature

Scavenging is a common theme in literature, representing resilience and adaptation in characters who must use what is available to survive.
Famous authors, like Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, depict characters who often scavenge through society's leftover material, symbolizing social critique.

Origin of 'scavenge'

Main points about word origin

The word stems from the Old French 'escavenger,' which means 'to clean up' or 'to remove waste.'
The root is believed to be related to the Latin word 'cavare,' which means 'to hollow out or excavate,' reflecting the act of searching through refuse.

The word 'scavenge' originated in the late 17th century, derived from the Old French word 'escauvage' meaning 'right of taking refuse', which itself came from the Latin 'ex- ' (out) + 'cava' (hollow) + 'ia' (noun suffix). Over time, the meaning of scavenging has evolved to include both searching for food or materials in waste and removing impurities from various substances.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,268 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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31265 backhoe
31266 cantaloupe
31267 ravish
31268 scavenge
31269 parricide
31270 abolitionism
31271 bewailed
...