Hypertext Webster Gateway: "scratch"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Scratch \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.]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Scratch \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.]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Scratch \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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Scratch \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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Scratch \Scratch\, n.
In various sports, the line from which the start is made,
except in the case of contestants receiving a distance
handicap.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

scratch
n 1: an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off [syn: {abrasion},
{scrape}, {excoriation}]
2: a depression scratched or carved into a surface [syn: {incision},
{prick}, {slit}, {dent}]
3: dry mash for poultry [syn: {chicken feed}]
4: a harsh noise made by scraping; "the scrape of violin bows
distracted her" [syn: {scrape}, {scraping}, {scratching}]
5: poor handwriting [syn: {scribble}, {scrawl}, {cacography}]
6: an indication of damage [syn: {scrape}, {scar}, {mark}]
v 1: cause friction; "my sweater scratches" [syn: {rub}, {fray},
{fret}, {chafe}]
2: cut the surface of; wear away the surface of [syn: {scrape},
{scratch up}]
3: scrape or rub as if to relieve itching; "Don't scratch your
insect bites!" [syn: {rub}, {itch}]


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