Scratch

v. t. [imp. & p. p. SCRATCHED (skrătcht); p. pr. & vb. n. SCRATCHING.] [O. Eng. cratch, cracchen, O. H. Ger. krazjan, krazôn, N. H. Ger. kratzen, O. D. kratsen, kretsen, N. D. krassen, Sw. kratsa, kratta, Dan. kradse, kratte.]

1Sense 1. To rub and tear the surface of with something sharp or ragged; to roughen or wound slightly by a point or points, as by the nails, a pin, or the like. “A sort of 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.

2Sense 2. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. [Rare.] “Scratch out a pamphlet.” Swift.

3Sense 3. To mark with scratches or erasures; as, to scratch a ticket. [U. S.]

4Sense 4. To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow.

To scratch out, to erase; to rub out; to obliterate.

v. i. To use the claws in tearing or digging. “Dull, tame things, . . . that will neither bite nor scratch.” More.

n. 1. A break in the surface of a thing made by scratching, or by rubbing with any thing pointed or ragged; a superficial wound or mark; a slight incision.

Heaven forbid a shallow scratch should drive The Prince of Wales from such a field as this. Shak.

The coarse file . . . makes deep scratches in the work. Moxon.

These nails with scratches shall deform my breast. Prior.

2Sense 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. [Colloq.] Grose.

3Sense 3. (pl.) (Far.) A disease in horses consisting of dry chaps, rifts, or scabs, between the heel and pastern joint. Buchanan.

4Sense 4. A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.

Scratch-cradle, a cratch-cradle. See CRATCH.