scrap¹ / skrap/ • n. 1. a small piece or amount of something, esp. one that is left over after the greater part has been used: I scribbled her address on a scrap of paper scraps of information. ∎  (scraps) bits of uneaten food left after a meal, esp. when fed to animals: he filled Sammy's bowls with fresh water and scraps. ∎  used to emphasize the lack or smallness of something: there was not a scrap of aggression in him every scrap of green land is up for grabs by development. ∎ inf. a small person or animal, esp. one regarded with affection or sympathy: poor little scrap, she's too hot in that coat. ∎  a particularly small thing of its kind: she was wearing a short black skirt and a tiny scrap of a top.2. (also scrap met·al) discarded metal for reprocessing: the steamer was eventually sold for scrap. ∎  [often as adj.] any waste articles or discarded material, esp. that which can be put to another purpose: we're burning scrap lumber.• v. (scrapped, scrap·ping) [tr.] (often be scrapped) discard or remove from service (a retired, old, or inoperative vehicle, vessel, or machine), esp. so as to convert it to scrap metal: the decision was made to scrap the entire fleet. ∎  abolish or cancel (something, esp. a plan, policy, or law) that is now regarded as unnecessary, unwanted, or unsuitable: the station scrapped plans to televise the contest live.scrap² inf. • n. a fight or quarrel, esp. a minor or spontaneous one.• v. (scrapped, scrap·ping) [intr.] engage in such a fight or quarrel. ∎  compete fiercely: the talk-show producers are scrapping for similar audiences.DERIVATIVES: scrap·per n.