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to damage or mark the surface of by scraping with something rough: [~ + object]The cat scratched her.[no object]The cat scratched at the door.
to (cause to) be removed with a scraping action: [~ + object]Did you scratch the paint on your new car?[no object]This paint won't scratch easily.
to scrape slightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching: [no object]He scratched gently at his ear while he thought.[~ + object]He scratched his arm where the mosquito had bitten him.
to draw on a rough, grating surface:[~ + object]to scratch one's initials on the rock.
to remove (an entry) from a contest:[~ + object]He was scratched from the race at the last minute.
to reject (an idea, etc.):[~ + object]Scratch that idea; it costs too much.
n.
Pathology a slight injury or mark caused by scratching:[countable]had a scratch on his face from the cat.
[countable] a rough mark made by a pen, etc.; scrawl.
to break, mar, or mark the surface of by rubbing, scraping, or tearing with something sharp or rough:to scratch one's hand on a nail.
to dig, scrape, or tear (something) out or off with or as if with the nails, claws, etc.:to scratch the burs off one's coat.
to rub or scrape slightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching.
to rub or draw along a rough, grating surface:to scratch a match on the sidewalk.
to erase, cancel, strike out, or eliminate (a name, something written, etc.) by or as if by drawing a line through it (often fol. by out):Scratch out the third name on the list.
to withdraw (an entry) from a race or competition.
Government[U.S. Politics.]
to divide (one's vote) though predominantly supporting one political party or faction.
to strike out or reject a particular name or names on (a party ticket) in voting.
to write or draw by scraping or cutting the lines into a surface:She scratched her initials on the glass.
to manipulate (a phonograph record) back and forth under the stylus to produce rhythmic sounds.
v.i.
to use the nails, claws, etc., for tearing, digging, etc.
to relieve itching by rubbing or scraping lightly, as with the fingernails.
to make a slight grating noise, as a pen.
to earn a living or to manage in any respect with great difficulty:We scratched along that year on very little money.
to withdraw or be withdrawn from a contest or competition.
Games(in certain card games) to make no score; earn no points.
Games[Billiards, Pool.]to make a shot that results in a penalty, esp. to pocket the cue ball without hitting the object ball.
n.
Pathologya slight injury, mar, or mark, usually thin and shallow, caused by scratching:three scratches on my leg; a noticeable scratch on the table.
a rough mark made by a pen, pencil, etc.; scrawl.
an act of scratching.
the slight grating sound caused by scratching.
the starting place, starting time, or status of a competitor in a handicap who has no allowance and no penalty.
Games[Billiards, Pool.]
a shot resulting in a penalty, esp. a pocketing of the cue ball without hitting the object ball.
a fluke or lucky shot.
Games(in certain card games) a score of zero; nothing.
Sport[Baseball.]See scratch hit.
ClothingSee scratch wig.
Slang Termsmoney; cash.
Idiomsfrom scratch:
from the very beginning or starting point.
from nothing; without resources:After the depression he started another business from scratch.
Idiomsup to scratch, in conformity with a certain standard; adequate; satisfactory:The local symphony orchestra has improved this year, but it is still not up to scratch.
adj.
used for hasty writing, notes, etc.:scratch paper.
without any allowance, penalty, or handicap, as a competitor or contestant.
Informal Termsdone by or dependent on chance:a scratch shot.
Informal Termsgathered hastily and indiscriminately:a scratch crew.
done or made from scratch:a scratch cake.
1425–75; late Middle English scracche (verb, verbal), blend of, blended Middle English scratte to scratch, and cracche to scratch; cognate with Middle Dutch cratsen
scratch′a•ble, adj. scratch′a•bly, adv. scratch′er, n. scratch′less, adj. scratch′like′, adj.
Scratch(skrach),USA pronunciationn.
Old Scratch; Satan.
1730–40; alteration of scrat hermaphrodite (late Middle English scratte; compare Old English scritta (once), which may be an error for *scratta); cognate with Old Norse skratti devil, goblin, wizard, Old High German skraz wood-demon
to mark or cut (the surface of something) with a rough or sharp instrument
often followed byat, out, off, etc: to scrape (the surface of something), as with claws, nails, etc
to scrape (the surface of the skin) with the nails, as to relieve itching
to chafe or irritate (a surface, esp the skin)
to make or cause to make a grating sound; scrape
(transitive) sometimes followed byout: to erase by or as if by scraping
(transitive)to write or draw awkwardly
(intransitive) sometimes followed byalong: to earn a living, manage, etc, with difficulty
to withdraw (an entry) from a race, match, etc
the act of scratching
a slight injury
a mark made by scratching
a slight grating sound
(in a handicap sport) a competitor or the status of a competitor who has no allowance or receives a penalty
the line from which competitors start in a race
(formerly) a line drawn on the floor of a prize ring at which the contestants stood to begin or continue fighting
a lucky shot
up to scratch ⇒ (usually used with a negative)up to standard
(of a team) assembled hastily
(in a handicap sport) with no allowance or penalty
rough or haphazard
Etymology: 15th Century: via Old French escrater from Germanic; compare Old High German krazzōn (German kratzen); related to Old French gratter to grate1ˈscratchy
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