Scăr'i-fy, v. t.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. SCARIFIED; p. pr. & vb. n. SCARIFYING.] [Fr. scarifier, Pr. scarificar, Sp. escarificar, It. & Lat. scarificare, from Gr. σκαριφᾶσθαι, to scratch up, from σκάριφος, a pointed instrument.]

1. To scratch or cut the skin of; to make small incisions in, by means of a lancet or cupping instrument, so as to draw blood from the smaller vessels without opening a large vein.
2. To stir the surface soil of; as, to scarify a field.