scrubber

¹

[ skruhb-er ]

noun

1. a person who scrubs.
2. a device or process for removing pollutants from smoke or gas produced by burning high-sulfur fuels.
3. a machine or appliance used in scrubbing:

   an automatic floor scrubber.

scrubber

²

[ skruhb-er ]

noun

1. a mongrel, especially a mongrel steer.
2. a thin or stunted steer.
3. Australian.
   1. an inhabitant of the bush.
   2. any domestic animal that has run off into the bush and become wild, especially a steer.

scrubber

³

[ skruhb-er ]

noun

, British Slang.

1. a prostitute or promiscuous woman.

scrubber

¹

/ ˈskrʌbə /

noun

1. a person or thing that scrubs
2. an apparatus for purifying a gas
3. derogatory.
   a promiscuous woman

scrubber

²

/ ˈskrʌbə /

noun

1. a domestic animal, esp a bullock, that has run wild in the bush

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrubber¹

First recorded in 1830–40; scrub ¹ + -er ¹

Origin of scrubber²

First recorded in 1855–60; scrub ² + -er ¹

Origin of scrubber³

First recorded in 1955–60; variously explained as sense development of either scrubber ¹ (in the sense “a person who scrubs; charwoman,” or scrubber ² (in the Australian sense “(female) animal that runs into the bush and becomes wild”; compare earlier scrub in same sense

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrubber¹

C19: from scrub ²

Example Sentences

Remaining coal-fired power plants now use "scrubber" technology that prevents these chemicals from forming.

From Science Daily

Discharge from ships with so-called scrubbers cause great damage to the Baltic Sea.

From Science Daily

They have forced operators of coal plants to install technology like “scrubbers” to remove toxins, like mercury, or to invest in safer ways to dispose of coal ash and wastewater from their facilities.

From New York Times

A few drops of dishwashing liquid and a plastic scrubber will remove any cooked-on bits and degrease your pan just enough to move on to the final cleaning step.

From Seattle Times

You can also gently scrape the scale off branches and stems with a plastic dish scrubber.

From Seattle Times