scraper
B2Neutral to technical. As a tool, common in general and DIY contexts. The computing sense is technical jargon.
Definition
Meaning
A tool or device with a hard, sharp edge used for removing a thin layer from a surface by pulling or pushing.
1) A person who collects something with difficulty (e.g., a living). 2) A program or bot that automatically extracts data from websites. 3) Any device or object used to scrape.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primary sense is a physical tool for cleaning, smoothing, or removing adhesive material. The agentive sense ('a person who scrapes by') is dated and somewhat figurative. The computing sense is now highly frequent in tech contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The tool sense is identical. 'Screen-scraper' is common in both. The agentive sense ('a scraper of a living') is more likely found in older British literary sources.
Connotations
In both, neutral for the tool. In computing, can have negative connotations related to data theft or violating terms of service.
Frequency
The computing sense is equally frequent in modern technical English globally.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[scraper] for [material/purpose]: a scraper for ice[scraper] to [verb]: a scraper to remove old tilesuse/employ/deploy a [scraper]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms for 'scraper' itself]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to software for extracting competitor data or market information from the web.
Academic
Can appear in archaeology (flint scraper), computing science, or materials science.
Everyday
A tool for cleaning pans, removing ice from car windows, or DIY tasks like removing wallpaper.
Technical
Precise term in computing for an automated data extraction program; also in construction/manufacturing for specific tools.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable. The verb is 'scrape'. The noun form is 'scraper'.
American English
- Not applicable. The verb is 'scrape'. The noun form is 'scraper'.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective. Can be used attributively in compounds like 'scraper tool'.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective. Can be used attributively in compounds like 'scraper blade'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I need a scraper to clean this burnt pan.
- He used an ice scraper on his car windscreen.
- A good paint scraper makes renovating windows much easier.
- The archaeologist found a flint scraper at the site.
- The company built a web scraper to monitor competitors' prices.
- You'll need a floor scraper to remove this old adhesive.
- Ethical considerations surrounding data scrapers are a major topic in tech law.
- The blade of the cabinet scraper must be burnished to create a fine hook.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound 'SCRAPE' + the tool suffix '-ER'. It SCRAPEs, so it's a SCRAPER.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOOL FOR REMOVAL IS A SCRAPER (extended to non-physical domains: data removal/copying).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'скребок' (correct for tool) and 'скрепер' (a heavy earth-moving vehicle, 'scraper' in English too). In computing, 'парсер' (parser) is different; a scraper is often 'скрапер' or 'паук'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'scrapper' (which means a fighter or someone who scraps metal).
- Using 'scraper' as a verb (the verb is 'to scrape').
- Confusing 'web scraper' with 'web crawler' (a crawler discovers links, a scraper extracts data).
Practice
Quiz
In a computing context, what is a 'scraper' primarily used for?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Scraper' is a tool or data program. 'Scrapper' is an informal term for someone who fights or argues, or someone who deals in scrap metal.
It depends on the website's terms of service, the data being scraped, its copyright status, and jurisdiction. It is a legally complex area.
Yes, but it's dated and literary, e.g., 'a scraper of a living' meaning someone who barely manages to get by.
A kitchen scraper (often plastic) for cleaning pans, or an ice scraper for car windows in winter.