scratch

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching…

   To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.

   • Could you please scratch my back?
   • Then riſing with Aurora’s Light, / The Muse invok’d, ſit down to write; / Blot out, correct, inſert, refine, / Enlarge, diminiſh, interline; / Be mindful, when Invention fails, / To ſcratch your Head, and bite your Nails.
2. 2

   To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation

   To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching.

   • I don't like that new scarf because it scratches my neck.
3. 3

   To mark a surface with a sharp object, thereby leaving a scratch (noun).

   • A real diamond can easily scratch a pane of glass.
4. ›+ 30 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To get such scratches.

      • This platter scratches easily.
   2. 5

      To cross out, strike out, strike through some text on a page.

   3. 6

      To produce a distinctive sound on a turntable by moving a vinyl record back and forth…

      To produce a distinctive sound on a turntable by moving a vinyl record back and forth while manipulating the crossfader (see also scratching).

   4. 7

      To commit a foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the…

      To commit a foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table.

      • Embarrassingly, he scratched on the break, popping the cue completely off the table.
   5. 8

      To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.

   6. 9

      To write or draw hastily or awkwardly

      To write or draw hastily or awkwardly; scrawl.

      • If any of the Labourers can ſcratch out a Pamphlet, they deſire no more; There is no Queſtion offered about the Wit, the Style, the Argument.
   7. 10

      To dig or excavate with the claws.

      • Some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow.
   8. 11

      To dig or scrape (a person's skin) with claws or fingernails in self-defense or with the…

      To dig or scrape (a person's skin) with claws or fingernails in self-defense or with the intention to injure.

      • The cat scratched the little girl.
   9. 12

      To announce one's non-participation in a race or sports event part of a larger sports…

      To announce one's non-participation in a race or sports event part of a larger sports meeting that one was previously signed up for, usually in lieu of another event at the same meeting.

      • Hurtis-Houairi, in lane three, quickly caught Arron, who was in lane four, winning in 22.80. Arron, who scratched the 100m semis in order to focus on the longer sprint, could only run 23.44.
   10. 13

       A disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.

       • I can’t believe there is a scratch in the paint already.
       • Her skin was covered with tiny scratches.
       • God forbid a shallow scratch should drive / The prince of Wales from such a field as this.
   11. 14

       An act of scratching the skin to alleviate an itch or irritation.

       • The dog sat up and had a good scratch.
   12. 15

       A starting line (originally and simply, a line scratched in the ground), as in boxing.

       • He started a few seconds before the time and came up in speed to the scratch at the moment appointed.
   13. 16

       A technical error of touching or surpassing the starting mark prior to the official start…

       A technical error of touching or surpassing the starting mark prior to the official start signal in the sporting events of long jump, discus, hammer throw, shot put, and similar. Originally the starting mark was a scratch on the ground but is now a board or precisely indicated mark.

   14. 17

       The last riders to depart in a handicap race.

       • Eventually the elephant and camel were despatched by themselves with two laps start of the bicyclist and horse, the motor car being scratch.
   15. 18

       An aberration.

   16. 19

       A horse withdrawn from a race prior to the start.

       • There were two scratches in race 8, which reduced the field from nine horses to seven.
   17. 20

       A minor injury.

       • It's just a scratch!
   18. 21

       Money

       Money; especially, cash.

       • He and Bruce cooked up a script together, and Bruce flew home to raise the scratch.
   19. 22

       A feed, usually a mixture of a few common grains, given to chickens.

   20. 23

       Minute, but tender and troublesome, excoriations, covered with scabs, upon the heels of…

       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.

       • These are exemplified in the scurfy, scaly affections which appear in the bend of the knee (mallenders) and hock (sallenders) and on the lower parts of the limbs, by scratches, and by a scaly exfoliation[…].
   21. 24

       A scratch wig.

       • [H]e turned to him with a dejected Face, and said ‘ – pray Sir, – could you touch up This a little?’ taking hold of his frightful scratch.
   22. 25

       A genre of Virgin Islander music, better known as fungi.

   23. 26

       Poor handwriting

       Poor handwriting; especially, illegibly so.

       • The handwriting in his paper is completely different when compared to his scratch on the note you gave me
   24. 27

       Nothing, zero. Used especially in card games or sports, but also expressions like "from…

       Nothing, zero. Used especially in card games or sports, but also expressions like "from scratch".

   25. 28

       For or consisting of preliminary or tentative, incomplete, etc. work.

       • This is scratch paper, so go ahead and scribble whatever you want on it.
   26. 29

       Hastily assembled, arranged or constructed, from whatever materials are to hand, with…

       Hastily assembled, arranged or constructed, from whatever materials are to hand, with little or no preparation

       • A scratch company of two innocuous youths and a pacified veteran was therefore what now offered itself to Mrs. Stringham, who rustled in a little breathless and full of the compunction of having had to come alone.
       • Bluecoats began crossing the James on June 14 and next day two corps approached Petersburg, which was held by Beauregard with a scratch force of 2,500.
   27. 30

       Relating to a scratchpad, a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for…

       Relating to a scratchpad, a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary use.

       • scratch memory
   28. 31

       (of a player) Of a standard high enough to play without a handicap, i.e. to compete…

       (of a player) Of a standard high enough to play without a handicap, i.e. to compete without the benefit of a variation in scoring based on ability.

       • ... the shot that does most to make a genuine scratch golfer is the mashie shot up to the pin — not merely up to the green.
   29. 32

       A free educational visual programming language and a programming site developed by the…

       A free educational visual programming language and a programming site developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab.

   30. 33

       A surname.

The neighborhood