scrape

/skreip/

Friendly

The word "scrape" can be used both as a noun and a verb, and it has a few different meanings. Let's break it down so it's easier to understand.

As a Verb:

1. To Cut or Damage the Surface: When you "scrape," you can injure something by scratching it or wearing away its surface. For example, "The cat scraped at the armchair," means the cat scratched the chair, possibly damaging it.

   • Example: "He scraped his knee when he fell off his bike."

2. To Gather or Collect: You can also use "scrape" to talk about gathering resources, usually with a lot of effort. For example, "She scraped together enough money for college," means she worked hard to save money little by little.

   • Example: "They scraped by on a small salary."

3. To Bow in a Humble Manner: In a more formal or old-fashioned sense, "to scrape" can mean to bow down in a very humble way, often to show respect or submission.

   • Example: "All that bowing and scraping did not impress him."

As a Noun:

1. An Indication of Damage: A "scrape" can refer to a mark or a wound on a surface, often from something sharp or rough. For example, "He had a scrape on his arm from falling."

   • Example: "There was a scrape on the sidewalk where the rock had been dragged."

2. A Harsh Noise: A "scrape" can also describe a harsh noise made by something being dragged over a surface, like a violin bow.

   • Example: "The scrape of the violin bow distracted her."

Advanced Usage:

• "Scrape" can be used in idiomatic expressions such as "scrape by," which means to manage to survive or live with very little money or resources.
  • Example: "They had to scrape by on a limited budget."

Word Variants:

• Scraped (past tense of scrape)
• Scraping (present participle)

Different Meanings:

1. In some contexts, "scrape" can refer to a minor injury or blemish on the skin (like a scrape on the knee).
2. It can also refer to the action of moving something across a surface, producing a sound or causing damage.

Synonyms:

• For the verb meanings: scratch, rub, gouge, collect, gather.
• For the noun meanings: mark, wound, abrasion, noise.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Scrape together: To gather or collect something, often money or resources.
• Scrape by: To manage to live or survive with very little.

Summary:

The word "scrape" has many meanings and can be used in different contexts. It can describe an action of damaging something, gathering resources, or even a type of humble bow.

Academic

Noun

1. an indication of damage
2. a deep bow with the foot drawn backwards (indicating excessive humility)
   • all that bowing and scraping did not impress him
3. an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off
4. a harsh noise made by scraping
   • the scrape of violin bows distracted her

Verb

1. bruise, cut, or injure the skin or the surface of
   • The boy skinned his knee when he fell
2. gather (money or other resources) together over time
   • She had scraped together enough money for college
   • they scratched a meager living
3. bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
4. cut the surface of; wear away the surface of
5. make by scraping
   • They scraped a letter into the stone
6. scratch repeatedly
   • The cat scraped at the armchair

Synonyms

• scratch
• scar
• mark
• scraping
• abrasion
• excoriation
• scratching
• skin
• scrape up
• come up
• kowtow
• genuflect
• scratch up
• grate