scavenger Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a chemical agent that is added to a chemical mixture to counteract the effects of impurities
noun someone who collects things that have been discarded by others
pack rat; magpie.
noun any animal that feeds on refuse and other decaying organic matter

OE. scavager an officer with various duties, orginally attending to scavage, fr. OE. & E. scavage. See Scavage, Show, v.

A person whose employment is to clean the streets of a city, by scraping or sweeping, and carrying off the fifth. The name is also applied to any animal which devours refuse, carrion, or anything injurious to health. Am. Cyc.