scratch : Idioms & Phrases

• noun a disease thought to be transmitted to humans by a scratch from a cat
  

WordNet

• noun cramped or illegible handwriting
  

WordNet

• adverb from the beginning, especially without relying on resources or other advantages
  
  • he baked the torte from scratch
  • she built her business up from scratch

WordNet

• verb manage one's existence barely
  scrape along; scrape by; squeak by; squeeze by; rub along.
  
  • I guess I can squeeze by on this lousy salary

WordNet

• noun a sharp-pointed awl for marking wood or metal to be cut
  scriber; scribe.
  

WordNet

Scratch" coat`

Definitions

1. The first coat in plastering; -- called also scratchwork. See Pricking-up.

Webster 1913

• . See Cratch cradle, under Cratch.

Webster 1913

• (Bot.), a climbing knotweed (Polygonum sagittatum) with a square stem beset with fine recurved prickles along the angles.

Webster 1913

• noun a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a game
  start; starting line; scratch.
  

WordNet

• verb write quickly
  fling off; dash off; knock off; toss off.
  
  • She dashed off a note to her husband saying she would not be home for supper
  • He scratched off a thank-you note to the hostess

WordNet

• verb strike or cancel by or as if by rubbing or crossing out
  cut out.
  
  • scratch out my name on that list

WordNet

• noun pad for preliminary or hasty writing or notes or sketches etc
  scribbling block; scratch pad.
  
  • scribbling block" is a British term

WordNet

• noun pad for preliminary or hasty writing or notes or sketches etc
  scribbling block; scratch pad.
  
  • scribbling block" is a British term

WordNet

• noun a race in which all contestants start from scratch (on equal terms)
  

WordNet

• one without restrictions regarding the entrance of competitors; also, one for which the competitors are chosen by lot.

Webster 1913

• noun a racing publication giving information on horses and the outcomes of horse races
  dope sheet.
  

WordNet

• noun a test to determine allergic sensitivity to various substances by applying them to scratches in the skin
  

WordNet

• verb cut the surface of; wear away the surface of
  scratch; scrape.
  

WordNet

• . Same as Scratch, 4, above.

Webster 1913

• . (a) (Prize Fighting) To step up to the scratch or mark made in the ring to be toed by the combatants in beginning a contest; hence: (b) To meet an antagonist or a difficulty bravely. Colloq.

Webster 1913

• to cancel one or more names of candidates on a party ballot; to refuse to vote the party ticket in its entirety. U.S.

Webster 1913