Scrape

Scrape is a verb with several related senses. It generally means to rub or scratch a surface with friction, often to remove dirt, paint, or other coatings, or to smooth or thin a layer. It can also mean to collect or obtain something by rubbing or dragging across a surface, such as scraping together funds or data. As a noun, a scrape may refer to a minor abrasion on the skin or to a tool used for removing material, such as a scraper.

Common uses include cleaning, preparation, and removal of coatings; in cooking, scraping zest from citrus or scraping skins from vegetables; and in construction or crafts, removing paint, glue, or putty from surfaces.

Data scraping: In information technology, web scraping refers to automated extraction of data from websites. Programs fetch web pages, parse HTML, and extract structured data. Techniques include HTML parsing, API-based retrieval, and browser automation with headless tools. Legal and ethical considerations are important: respect terms of service, robots.txt, and potential copyright or privacy concerns; some sites prohibit scraping or require rate limits.

Health and safety: A scrape on the skin is a minor abrasion that can be painful and may bleed. Treatment typically involves cleaning with water and mild soap, avoiding contamination, applying antiseptic, and covering with a bandage. Seek medical attention if the wound is deep, won’t stop bleeding, or shows signs of infection.

Tools and related terms: A scraper is a hand tool with a sharp edge used to remove material such as paint or adhesive. The term also appears in idioms like scraping by, meaning to manage with limited resources.