scrapings

Scrapings are material removed from a surface by scraping, or, in information contexts, data obtained through scraping. The term is used across disciplines to describe both physical byproducts and collected samples or data.

In manufacturing and machining, scrapings refer to small fragments produced when a tool removes material from a workpiece. These shavings or chips can be metal, plastic, or wood and are often recycled or disposed of as waste, depending on their composition and contamination.

In medical and biological contexts, skin scrapings are a diagnostic technique in dermatology and parasitology. A superficial layer of skin is scraped with a scalpel or blade, sometimes treated with mineral oil, and examined under a microscope to detect fungi, dermatophytes, or parasites such as mites.

In data science and information technology, scraping (and the scrapings it yields) involves the automated extraction of information from websites, documents, or APIs. Scraped data are used for market analysis, research, and monitoring, but practitioners must observe legal restrictions, terms of service, and ethical considerations, including privacy and data ownership.

In archaeology, environmental science, and related fields, scrapings may refer to surface-layer samples collected by scraping or gentle excavation to recover residues, pollen, or microfossils for analysis. Such scrapings help infer past environments, processes, or material compositions.

Overall, scrapings denote either physical fragments produced by scraping actions or the extracted data and samples obtained through scraping techniques, with applications and considerations varying by field.