Score

Score Score (sk[=o]r), n. [AS. scor twenty, fr. sceran, scieran, to shear, cut, divide; or rather the kindred Icel. skor incision, twenty, akin to Dan. skure a notch, Sw. sk[*a]ra. See {Shear}.] 1. A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose of account. [1913 Webster]

Whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; hence, indebtedness. [1913 Webster]

He parted well, and paid his score. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf. [1913 Webster]

But left the trade, as many more Have lately done on the same score. --Hudibras. [1913 Webster]

You act your kindness in Cydaria's score. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. The number twenty, as being marked off by a special score or tally; hence, in pl., a large number. [1913 Webster]

Amongst three or four score hogsheads. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

At length the queen took upon herself to grant patents of monopoly by scores. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

5. A distance of twenty yards; -- a term used in ancient archery and gunnery. --Halliwell. [1913 Webster]

6. A weight of twenty pounds. [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster]

7. The number of points gained by the contestants, or either of them, in any game, as in cards or cricket. [1913 Webster]

8. A line drawn; a groove or furrow. [1913 Webster]

9. (Mus.) The original and entire draught, or its transcript, of a composition, with the parts for all the different instruments or voices written on staves one above another, so that they can be read at a glance; -- so called from the bar, which, in its early use, was drawn through all the parts. --Moore (Encyc. of Music). [1913 Webster]

10. the grade received on an examination, such as those given in school or as a qualifying examination for a job or admission to school; -- it may be expressed as a percentage of answers which are correct, or as a number or letter; as, a score of 98 in a civil service exam. [PJC]

{In score} (Mus.), having all the parts arranged and placed in juxtaposition. --Smart.

{To quit scores}, to settle or balance accounts; to render an equivalent; to make compensation. [1913 Webster]

Does not the earth quit scores with all the elements in the noble fruits that issue from it? --South. [1913 Webster]