scrounge
verb
- to obtain with some difficulty
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈskɹaʊ̯nd͡ʒ/ / /ˈskɹæʊ̯nd͡ʒ/ / /ˈskɹaːnd͡ʒ/
noun
Etymology: 1915, alteration of dialectal scrunge ("to search stealthily, rummage, pilfer") (1909), of uncertain origin, perhaps from dialectal scringe ("to pry about"); or perhaps related to scrouge, scrooge ("push, jostle") (1755, also Cockney slang for "a crowd"), probably suggestive of screw, squeeze. Popularized by the military in World War I.
- Someone who scrounges; a scrounger.
- An act of scrounging; a trip taken for the purpose of scrounging.
“"Still, it's not much good sending you two off on a medical supplies scrounge. What about food and general stores? Suit you?"”
verb
Etymology: 1915, alteration of dialectal scrunge ("to search stealthily, rummage, pilfer") (1909), of uncertain origin, perhaps from dialectal scringe ("to pry about"); or perhaps related to scrouge, scrooge ("push, jostle") (1755, also Cockney slang for "a crowd"), probably suggestive of screw, squeeze. Popularized by the military in World War I.
- To hunt about, especially for something of nominal value; to scavenge or glean.
“scrounge for food”
“Now you don't seem so proud about having to be scrounging your next meal.”
- To obtain something of moderate or inconsequential value from another.
“As long as he's got someone who'll let him scrounge off them, he'll never settle down and get a full-time job.”