scrapyard
UK[ˈskræpjɑːd]US[ˈskræpjɑːrd]
n
A place where old cars, machines, and other metal objects are collected so that parts or materials can be reused or sold.
Morpheme Breakdown
scrap
yard
scrap
discarded material
yard
enclosed area
Etymology
The word 'scrapyard' is a transparent compound formed from two common English nouns. 'Scrap' entered English from Old Norse, originally denoting small pieces or leftovers, a sense that evolved to specifically mean discarded metal ready for reprocessing. 'Yard' is a native Old English word for an enclosed piece of land. The compound logically combines these elements to denote an enclosed area designated for the collection and storage of scrap metal. Its formation follows a straightforward pattern in English for naming industrial or commercial sites, such as 'shipyard' or 'lumberyard,' where the first element specifies the material or activity and the second specifies the location.
Analysis
Structure: scrap (discarded material) + yard (enclosed area)
scrap: From Old Norse skrap, meaning "scraps, trifles," related to the verb skrapa, "to scrape." In this compound, it functions as the core noun meaning "discarded waste material."
yard: From Old English geard, meaning "enclosure, garden, court." In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning "an enclosed area of ground."
Examples
The old refrigerator was taken to the scrapyard to be recycled.
He found a usable carburetor for his classic car at the local scrapyard.
The city council passed new regulations to reduce noise from the scrapyard.