schrapen

Schrapen is a Dutch verb that denotes removing material from a surface by scraping with a sharp or blunt edge, or by a repeated scraping motion. The term is used in everyday language for cleaning, shaping, or preparing surfaces, as well as in a broader sense to describe gathering or extracting something through effort.

Etymology and range: The word schrapen originates from Middle Dutch schrapen and belongs to the family of Germanic roots associated with scraping or scratching. In usage, schrapen contrasts with krabben (to scratch) in that schrapen emphasizes the removal of a layer or coating rather than mere scratching.

Common uses in daily language: Physical scraping is widespread, for example schrapen verf van een deur, schrapen ijs van een raam, or schrapen resten uit een pan. In cooking and food preparation it may describe removing skins or residues from vegetables or fruit. In a broader sense, schrapen can also mean to scrape together resources, money, or time, as in schrapen bij elkaar voor een aankoop of project.

Data and finance usage: In information technology, schrapen is increasingly used to mean web scraping, het automatisch vergaren van gegevens uit websites. In finance or everyday planning, it can describe squeezing together limited means to meet a goal.

Related terms: The noun schraper refers to a tool used for scraping. Phrases like schrapen en schraapwerk are used to describe the act or process of scraping in different contexts.

See also: scraping (general concept), web scraping, scraper.