scratch Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off
    abrasion; excoriation; scrape.
  2. noun a depression scratched or carved into a surface
    slit; prick; incision; dent.
  3. noun informal terms for money
    moolah; wampum; clams; gelt; kale; lucre; sugar; dinero; simoleons; loot; boodle; lettuce; dough; shekels; cabbage; pelf; lolly; bread.
  4. noun a competitor who has withdrawn from competition
  5. noun a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game
    start; scratch line; starting line.
  6. noun dry mash for poultry
    chicken feed.
  7. noun a harsh noise made by scraping
    scratching; scraping; scrape.
    • the scrape of violin bows distracted her
  8. noun poor handwriting
    scrawl; scribble; cacography.
  9. noun (golf) a handicap of zero strokes
    • a golfer who plays at scratch should be able to achieve par on a course
  10. noun an indication of damage
    scar; scrape; mark.
  11. verb cause friction
    rub; chafe; fray; fret.
    • my sweater scratches
  12. verb cut the surface of; wear away the surface of
    scratch up; scrape.
  13. verb scrape or rub as if to relieve itching
    rub; itch.
    • Don't scratch your insect bites!
  14. verb postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled
    cancel; scrub; call off.
    • Call off the engagement
    • cancel the dinner party
    • we had to scrub our vacation plans
    • scratch that meeting--the chair is ill
  15. verb remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
    strike; excise; expunge.
    • Please strike this remark from the record
    • scratch that remark
  16. verb gather (money or other resources) together over time
    scrape up; come up; scrape.
    • She had scraped together enough money for college
    • they scratched a meager living
  17. verb carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface
    inscribe; grave; engrave.
    • engrave a pen
    • engraved the trophy cupt with the winner's
    • the lovers scratched their names into the bark of the tree

WordNet

Scratch transitive verb
Etymology
OE. cracchen (perhaps influenced by OE. scratten to scratch); cf. OHG. chrazzn, 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.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Scratched ; present participle & verbal noun Scratching
Definitions
  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.
Scratch intransitive verb
Definitions
  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.
Scratch noun
Definitions
  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. Thackeray.
Scratch adjective
Definitions
  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

Webster 1913