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scour²

(skour)

v. scoured, scour·ing, scours

v.tr.

1. To search through or over thoroughly: The detective scoured the scene of the crime for clues.

2. To range over (an area) quickly and energetically.

v.intr.

1. To range over or about an area, especially in a search.

2. To move swiftly; scurry.

[Middle English scouren, to move swiftly, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skūr, shower.]

scourer n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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