Definitions for: Scratch


[n] an indication of damage
[n] poor handwriting
[n] a harsh noise made by scraping; "the scrape of violin bows distracted her"
[n] dry mash for poultry
[n] a depression scratched or carved into a surface
[n] an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off
[v] cause friction; "my sweater scratches"
[v] cut the surface of; wear away the surface of
[v] scrape or rub as if to relieve itching; "Don't scratch your insect bites!"



Webster (1913) Definition: Scratch, n.
In various sports, the line from which the start is made,
except in the case of contestants receiving a distance
handicap.


Scratch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scratched; p. pr. & vb.
n. Scratching.] [OE. cracchen (perhaps influenced by OE.
scratten to scratch); cf. OHG. chrazz[=o]n, G. kratzen, OD.
kratsen, kretsen, D. krassen, Sw. kratsa to scrape, kratta to
rake, to scratch, Dan. kradse to scratch, to scrape, Icel.
krota to engrave. Cf. Grate to rub.]
1. To rub and tear or mark the surface of with something
sharp or ragged; to scrape, roughen, or wound slightly by
drawing something pointed or rough across, as the claws,
the nails, a pin, or the like.

Small sand-colored stones, so hard as to scratch
glass. --Grew.

Be mindful, when invention fails, To scratch your
head, and bite your nails. --Swift.

2. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. ``Scratch out a
pamphlet.'' --Swift.

3. To cancel by drawing one or more lines through, as the
name of a candidate upon a ballot, or of a horse in a
list; hence, to erase; to efface; -- often with out.

4. To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals
scratch holes, in which they burrow.

To scratch a ticket, to cancel one or more names of
candidates on a party ballot; to refuse to vote the party
ticket in its entirety. [U. S.]


Scratch, v. i.
1. To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to
make scratches.

Dull, tame things, . . . that will neither bite nor
scratch. --Dr. H. More.

2. (Billiards) To score, not by skillful play but by some
fortunate chance of the game. [Cant, U. S.]


Scratch, n.
1. A break in the surface of a thing made by scratching, or
by rubbing with anything pointed or rough; a slight wound,
mark, furrow, or incision.

The coarse file . . . makes deep scratches in the
work. --Moxon.

These nails with scratches deform my breast.
--Prior.

God forbid a shallow scratch should drive The prince
of Wales from such a field as this. --Shak.

2. (Pugilistic Matches) A line across the prize ring; up to
which boxers are brought when they join fight; hence,
test, trial, or proof of courage; as, to bring to the
scratch; to come up to the scratch. [Cant] --Grose.

3. pl. (Far.) Minute, but tender and troublesome,
excoriations, covered with scabs, upon the heels of horses
which have been used where it is very wet or muddy. --Law
(Farmer's Veter. Adviser).

4. A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.

5. (Billiards) A shot which scores by chance and not as
intended by the player; a fluke. [Cant, U. S.]

Scratch cradle. See Cratch cradle, under Cratch.

Scratch grass (Bot.), a climbing knotweed ({Polygonum
sagittatum}) with a square stem beset with fine recurved
prickles along the angles.

Scratch wig. Same as Scratch, 4, above. --Thackeray.


Scratch, a.
Made, done, or happening by chance; arranged with little or
no preparation; determined by circumstances; haphazard; as, a
scratch team; a scratch crew for a boat race; a scratch shot
in billiards. [Slang]

Scratch race, one without restrictions regarding the
entrance of competitors; also, one for which the
competitors are chosen by lot.

Synonyms: abrasion, cacography, chafe, chicken feed, dent, excoriation, fray, fret, incision, itch, mark, prick, rub, rub, scar, scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape, scraping, scratch up, scratching, scrawl, scribble, slit

See Also: adjoin, blemish, claw, contact, cut out, defect, depression, graze, hand, handwriting, impression, imprint, incise, irritate, lesion, mash, meet, noise, rope burn, score, scotch, scratch out, script, scuff, squiggle, touch, wound

Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
p letter animals
animlas that start with b
animals begin with q