scratch Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off
abrasion; excoriation; scrape.
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noun a depression scratched or carved into a surface
slit; prick; incision; dent.
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noun informal terms for money
moolah; wampum; clams; gelt; kale; lucre; sugar; dinero; simoleons; loot; boodle; lettuce; dough; shekels; cabbage; pelf; lolly; bread.
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noun a competitor who has withdrawn from competition
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noun a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game
start; scratch line; starting line.
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noun dry mash for poultry
chicken feed.
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noun a harsh noise made by scraping
scratching; scraping; scrape.
- the scrape of violin bows distracted her
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noun poor handwriting
scrawl; scribble; cacography.
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noun (golf) a handicap of zero strokes
- a golfer who plays at scratch should be able to achieve par on a course
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noun an indication of damage
scar; scrape; mark.
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verb cause friction
rub; chafe; fray; fret.
- my sweater scratches
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verb cut the surface of; wear away the surface of
scratch up; scrape.
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verb scrape or rub as if to relieve itching
rub; itch.
- Don't scratch your insect bites!
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verb postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled
cancel; scrub; call off.
- Call off the engagement
- cancel the dinner party
- we had to scrub our vacation plans
- scratch that meeting--the chair is ill
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verb remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
strike; excise; expunge.
- Please strike this remark from the record
- scratch that remark
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verb gather (money or other resources) together over time
scrape up; come up; scrape.
- She had scraped together enough money for college
- they scratched a meager living
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verb carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
inscribe; grave; engrave.
- engrave a pen
- engraved the trophy cupt with the winner's
- the lovers scratched their names into the bark of the tree
WordNet
Scratch transitive verb
Etymology
OE.Wordforms
Definitions
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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.
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To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. "Scratch out a pamphlet." Swift.
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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. -
To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals .scratch holes, in which they burrow
Scratch intransitive verb
Definitions
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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.
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(Billiards) To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game. Cant, U.S.
Scratch noun
Definitions
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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.
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(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; Cant Grose.as, to bring to the .scratch ; to come up to thescratch - 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). -
A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head. -
(Billiards) A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke. Cant, U.S. Thackeray.
Scratch adjective
Definitions
Made, done, or happening by chance; arranged with little or no preparation; determined by circumstances; haphazard; Slangas, a .scratch team; ascratch crew for a boat race; ascratch shot in billiards