scavenger — an animal that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: an animal that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈskævɪndʒər/
Example Sentences
- My roommate is such a scavenger - he even collects expired coupons!
- Hyenas are skilled scavengers that often steal kills from other predators.
- The beach scavenger found three smartphones and a designer watch after the music festival.
scavenger
NOUN[/ˈskævɪndʒər/]
an animal that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter
Animals feeding on dead remains
The scavenger eyes the passenger as the messenger soars above
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word developed in Middle English from a term originally denoting street sweepers and refuse collectors in cities. Initially referring specifically to workers who cleaned urban streets and removed waste, the term gradually broadened over time to apply to both animals and people who feed on discarded matter or carrion.
Breakdown
scavage (a tax or duty related to street cleaning) + -er (agent noun suffix denoting a person who performs an action). The root scavage derives from Anglo-Norman French scavage, related to the practice of street cleaning and waste removal in medieval cities.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My roommate is such a scavenger - he even collects expired coupons!”
“Hyenas are skilled scavengers that often steal kills from other predators.”
“The beach scavenger found three smartphones and a designer watch after the music festival.”
“During the zombie apocalypse, we all became scavengers searching for canned food.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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