scrape

Definition

To draw (an object, especially a sharp or angular one), along (something) while exerting pressure.

Etymology

From Middle English scrapen, from Old Norse skrapa (“to scrape, scratch”) and Old English scrapian (“to scrape, scratch”), both from Proto-Germanic *skrapōną, *skrepaną (“to scrape, scratch”), from Proto-Indo-European *skrebʰ- (“to engrave”). Cognate with Dutch schrapen (“to scrape”), schrappen (“to strike through; to cancel; to scrap”), schrabben (“to scratch”), German schrappen (“to scrape”), Danish skrabe (“to scrape”), Icelandic skrapa (“to scrape”), Walloon screper (“to scrape”), Latin scribō (“dig with a pen, draw, write”).

Example Sentences

• "She scraped the wooden plate with her fingernails."
• "That car often scrapes the shallowest of humps because of its low ground clearance."
• "Scrape the chewing gum off with a knife."