Scavenging: meaning, definitions and examples
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scavenging
[ ˈskæv.ɪn.dʒɪŋ ]
collecting waste
Scavenging refers to the act of searching for and collecting discarded items or materials from waste or refuse. This behavior is often associated with animals that forage for food, but it can also apply to humans who gather items for reuse or recycling. Scavenging is an important ecological process, as it helps to clean the environment and may promote the recycling of materials. In urban contexts, scavenging may be seen as a survival strategy for individuals in need.
Synonyms
collecting, foraging, searching
Examples of usage
- The raccoon was scavenging for food in the trash.
- She spent her weekends scavenging for vintage clothes at thrift stores.
- The community organized a day for scavenging items to recycle.
- Street animals often engage in scavenging to survive.
Translations
Translations of the word "scavenging" in other languages:
🇵🇹 recuperação
🇮🇳 सड़ना
🇩🇪 Sammeln
🇮🇩 mencari sisa makanan
🇺🇦 збирання
🇵🇱 grzebanie
🇯🇵 scavenging
🇫🇷 fouiller
🇪🇸 recogida
🇹🇷 karıştırma
🇰🇷 쓰레기 줍기
🇸🇦 التمشيط
🇨🇿 shromažďování
🇸🇰 zbieranie
🇨🇳 搜寻
🇸🇮 ščetje
🇮🇸 safn
🇰🇿 жинау
🇬🇪 შეგროვება
🇦🇿 toplama
🇲🇽 recogida
Word origin
The word 'scavenging' has its roots in the Middle English word 'scavenger', which referred to a person who collects refuse or waste. It is derived from the Old French term 'escouviger', meaning to cleanse or to remove waste. This term can be traced further back to Latin 'cāvāre', which means 'to clear out'. Over time, 'scavenging' evolved to encompass not just the collection of waste but also the active searching for resources in discarded materials. Today, the term is often used in both ecological contexts—referencing animals that consume leftover food—and in urban environments, highlighting the practice of recycling and reusing materials that are otherwise thrown away.