D defs.my
Menu ☰
Entry 13 senses · 4 variants Webster, 1913

Scratch

/skrăch/ · IPA /skɹæt͡ʃ/
01 v. t. To rub and tear or mark the surface of with something sharp or ragged; to scrape, roughen, or wound slightly by drawing something pointed o…
imp. & p. p. Scratched; p. pr. & vb. n. Scratching
  1. 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. 2.
    To write or draw hastily or awkwardly.
  3. 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. 4.
    To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow.
Phrases & compounds
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.
02 v. i. To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to make scratches.
  1. 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. 2.
    To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.(Billiards) [Cant, U. S.]
03 n. 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.
  1. 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. 2.
    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.(Pugilistic Matches) [Cant]
  3. 3.
    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.(Far.)
  4. 4.
    A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.
  5. 5.
    A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke.(Billiards) [Cant, U. S.]
  6. 6.
    In various sports, the line from which the start is made, except in the case of contestants receiving a distance handicap.
Phrases & compounds
Scratch cradle — See Cratch cradle, under Cratch.
Scratch grass — a climbing knotweed (Polygonum sagittatum) with a square stem beset with fine recurved prickles along the angles.
Scratch wig — Same as Scratch, 4, above.
start from scratch — to start (again) from the very beginning; also, to start without resources.
04 a. Made, done, or happening by chance; arranged with little or no preparation; determined by circumstances; haphazard; as, a scratch team; a s…
  1. 1.
    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]
Phrases & compounds
Scratch race — one without restrictions regarding the entrance of competitors; also, one for which the competitors are chosen by lot.