1. Erosion by water: This is the most common meaning of "scour" in geology and engineering. It refers to the erosion and removal of soil, rock, or other material by the force of flowing water. This can happen in rivers, streams, oceans, and even in artificial structures like bridges and dams.
* Example: The strong current of the river caused significant scour around the bridge piers.
2. Cleaning by rubbing or scrubbing: This definition is more common in everyday language. It refers to cleaning something by rubbing it vigorously with something abrasive.
* Example: She scoured the pan with a steel wool pad to remove the burnt food.
3. Searching thoroughly: This definition is less common but still relevant. It means to search something very carefully and systematically.
* Example: The detective scoured the crime scene for clues.
4. Medical Definition: In medicine, "scour" can refer to diarrhea, especially in animals.
* Example: The calves are suffering from scour due to a bacterial infection.
It's important to consider the context in which "scour" is used to determine its correct meaning.