As verbs the difference between scruff and strained
is that
scruff is to lift or carry by the
scruff while
strained is (
strain).
As a noun scruff
is someone with an untidy appearance or
scruff can be the loose skin at the back of the neck of some animals.
As an adjective strained is
forced through a strainer.
scruff English
Etymology 1
Noun
( en noun)
Someone with an untidy appearance
- That candidate will never get the job: he's a right scruff .
stubble, facial hair (on males)
(obsolete) crust
(obsolete) scurf
Derived terms
* scruffy
Etymology 2
1790, from earlier (1787) (m), influenced by
Noun
( en noun)
The loose skin at the back of the neck of some animals.
(rare) The back of the neck, nape; also scruff of the neck .
- He grabbed his unruly kid by the scruff of the neck , and took him home.
Usage notes
Strictly refers to the loose skin at the back of the neck – found on many mammals, though not humans – rather than the back of the neck itself. While this distinction is not always observed, scruff is used almost exclusively in the phrase “to grab [someone/something] by the scruff [of the neck]”.
Synonyms
* (l)
* (l), (l) (medical)
* (l) (of a horse)
Verb
( en verb)
To lift or carry by the scruff .
See also
* (l)
References
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strained English
Adjective
( en adjective)
Forced through a strainer.
- Babies don’t seem to like strained peas, even though the puree is easy for them to eat and digest.
Under tension; tense.
- Ever since the fight our relation has been strained .
Verb
(head)
(strain)
Anagrams
*
*
*
*
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