scrap
pronunciation
How to pronounce scrap in British English:
UK [skræp]
How to pronounce scrap in American English:
US [skræp]
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- Noun:
- a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
- worthless material that is to be disposed of
- a small piece of something that is left over after the rest has been used
- the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
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- Verb:
- dispose of (something useless or old)
- have a disagreement over something
- make into scrap or refuse
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- Adjective:
- disposed of as useless
Word Origin
- scrap (v.1)
- "to make into scrap," 1883 (of old locomotives), from scrap (n.1). Related: Scrapped; scrapping.
- scrap (v.2)
- "to fight, brawl, box," 1867, colloquial, from scrap (n.2). Related: Scrapped; scrapping.
- scrap (n.1)
- "small piece," late 14c., from Old Norse skrap "scraps, trifles," from skrapa "to scrape, scratch, cut" (see scrape (v.)). Meaning "remains of metal produced after rolling or casting" is from 1790. Scrap iron first recorded 1794.
- scrap (n.2)
- "fight," 1846, possibly a variant of scrape (n.1) on the notion of "an abrasive encounter." Weekley and OED suggest obsolete colloquial scrap "scheme, villainy, vile intention" (1670s).
Example
- 1. Most obviously china should scrap the one-child policy .
- 2. It would be hard to scrap elections to the parliament now .
- 3. Across the scrap trade , prices have halved or worse in a matter of months .
- 4. Over 10 million vehicles are dumped in salvage yards and scrap facilities each year .
- 5. Mr yin once famously commented that competition was so fierce the scrap value of his motorbikes was higher than the retail price .