Raze

(rāz) (Synop., §130), v. t. [imp. & p. p. RASED; p. pr. & vb. n. RASING.] [Fr. raser, Sp. & Pg. raser, It. rasare, L. Lat. rasare, to scrape often, v. freq. from radere, rasum, to scrape, shave.]

1Sense 1. To rub along the surface of; to graze. [Rare.]

Might not the bullet which rased his cheek have gone into his head? South.

Sometimes his feet rased the surface of the water, and, at others, the skylight almost flattened his nose. Beckford.

2Sense 2. To scratch or rub out, or to blot out; to cancel; to erase. “Except we rase the faculty of memory, root and branch, out of our mind.” Fuller.

3Sense 3. To level with the ground; to overthrow; to destroy; to raze.

Till Troy were by their brave hands rased They would not turn home. Chapman.

In this sense raze is generally used. This word, rase, may, therefore, be considered as nearly obsolete; graze, erase, and raze, having superseded it.

Synonyms—To erase; efface; obliterate; expunge; cancel; level; prostrate; overthrow; subvert; destroy; demolish; ruin.

n. A root. See RACE.

☞ By some this word has been supposed to mean a bale or package; but this seems doubtful.

v. t. [Also rase.] [imp. & p. p. RAZED; p. pr. & vb. n. RAZING.] [Fr. raser. See RASE.]

1Sense 1. To erase; to efface; to obliterate; to extirpate. “Razing the characters of your renown.” Shak. “And raze their factions and their family.” Shak.

2Sense 2. To subvert from the foundation; to lay level with the ground; to overthrow; to destroy; to demolish. “The royal hand that razed unhappy Troy.” Dryden.

Synonyms—To demolish; level; prostrate; overthrow; subvert; destroy; ruin. See DEMOLISH.