释义 |
scurf I. \ˈskərf, -kə̄f, -kəif\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Icelandic skurfa scurf, Danish skurv; akin to Old English sceorf scurf, Old High German scorf scurf, Old English sceorfan to gnaw, Latin carpere to pluck — more at harvest 1. : material like bran that becomes detached from the epidermis in thin dry scales especially in an abnormal skin condition 2. a. : anything like flakes or scales adhering to a surface b. : the foul remains of anything adherent 3. : the offscourings of society : scum 4. : the deposit or covering resembling scales or bran found on some plant parts 5. a. : a localized or general darkening and roughening of a smooth plant surface that is usually more pronounced than russeting b. : any of several plant diseases characterized by scurf: as (1) : a disease of sweet potatoes caused by an imperfect fungus (Moniliochaetes infuscans) (2) : silver scurf II. transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) 1. a. : to whiten like scurf b. : to cover with or as if with scurf 2. : to remove (as scurf) by scraping, rubbing, or wiping < scurfing a patch away from the glazed window — Thomas Wolfe > especially : to remove deposits of carbon from (as the inner surfaces of coal gas retorts or coke ovens) |