- Scratch
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
Small sand-colored stones, so hard as to scratch glass. --Grew. [1913 Webster]
Be mindful, when invention fails, To scratch your head, and bite your nails. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
2. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. ``Scratch out a pamphlet.'' --Swift. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
4. To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow. [1913 Webster]
{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.] [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
