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Webster 1913 Edition


Scurf

Scurf

,
Noun.
[AS.
scurf
,
sceorf
, or from Scand.; cf. Sw.
skorf
, Dan.
skurv
, Icel.
skurfur
, D.
schurft
, G.
schorf
; all akin to AS.
scurf
, and to AS.
sceorfan
to scrape, to gnaw, G.
schürfen
to scrape, and probably also to E.
scrape
. Cf.
Scurvy
.]
1.
Thin dry scales or scabs upon the body; especially, thin scales exfoliated from the cuticle, particularly of the scalp; dandruff.
2.
Hence, the foul remains of anything adherent.
The
scurf
is worn away of each committed crime.
Dryden.
3.
Anything like flakes or scales adhering to a surface.
There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top
Belched fire and rolling smoke; the rest entire
Shone with a glossy
scurf
.
Milton.
4.
(Bot.)
Minute membranous scales on the surface of some leaves, as in the goosefoot.
Gray.

Webster 1828 Edition


Scurf

SCURF

,
Noun.
[L. scorbutus.]
1. A dry military scab or crust formed on the skin of an animal.
2. The soil or foul remains of any thing adherent; as the scurf of crimes. [Not common nor elegant.] Dryden.
3. Any thing adhering to the surface.
There stood a hill, whose grisly top Shone with a glossy scurf. Milton.

Definition 2024


scurf

scurf

English

Noun

scurf (countable and uncountable, plural scurfs)

  1. A skin disease.
  2. The flakes of skin that fall off as a result of a skin disease.
  3. Any crust-like formations on the skin, or in general.
    • Milton
      There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top / Belched fire and rolling smoke; the rest entire / Shone with a glossy scurf.
  4. (figuratively) The foul remains of anything adherent.
    • Dryden
      The scurf is worn away of each committed crime.
  5. (botany) Minute membranous scales on the surface of some leaves, as in the goosefoot.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Gray to this entry?)

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