WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Scurf
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [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. sch?rfen to scrape, and probably also to E. scrape. Cf. Scurvy.]
Definition : 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.)

Defn: Minute membranous scales on the surface of some leaves, as in the goosefoot. Gray.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913