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scratch |
8 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Scratch \Scratch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scratched}; p. pr & vb n. {Scratching}.] [OE. cracchen (perhaps influenced by OE scratten to scratch); cf OHG. chrazz[=o]n, 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.] 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. {To scratch a ticket}, to cancel one or more names of candidates on a party ballot; to refuse to vote the party ticket in its entirety. [U. S.] From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Scratch \Scratch\, v. i. 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.] From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Scratch \Scratch\, a. 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] {Scratch race}, one without restrictions regarding the entrance of competitors; also one for which the competitors are chosen by lot From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Scratch \Scratch\, n. 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.] {Scratch cradle}. See {Cratch cradle}, under {Cratch}. {Scratch grass} (Bot.), a climbing knotweed ({Polygonum sagittatum}) with a square stem beset with fine recurved prickles along the angles. {Scratch wig}. Same as {Scratch}, 4, above. --Thackeray. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Scratch \Scratch\, n. In various sports, the line from which the start is made except in the case of contestants receiving a distance handicap. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: scratch n 1: an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off [syn: {abrasion}, {scrape}, {excoriation}] 2: a depression scratched or carved into a surface [syn: {incision}, {notch}, {prick}, {slit}, {dent}] 3: dry mash for poultry [syn: {chicken feed}] 4: a harsh noise made by scraping; "the scrape of violin bows distracted her" [syn: {scrape}, {scraping}, {scratching}] 5: poor handwriting [syn: {scribble}, {scrawl}, {cacography}] 6: an indication of damage [syn: {scrape}, {scar}, {mark}] v 1: cause friction [syn: {rub}, {fray}, {fret}, {chafe}] 2: cut the surface of wear away the surface of [syn: {scrape}, {scratch up}] 3: scrape or rub as if to relieve itching [syn: {rub}, {itch}] From Jargon File (4.2.3, 23 NOV 2000) [jargon]: scratch 1. [from `scratchpad'] adj Describes a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary-use purposes; one that can be {scribble}d on without loss Usually in the combining forms `scratch memory', `scratch register', `scratch disk', `scratch tape', `scratch volume'. See also {scratch monkey}. 2. [primarily IBM, also Commodore] vt To delete (as in a file). From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (13 Mar 01) [foldoc]: scratch 1. (From "scratchpad") Describes a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary-use purposes; one that can be {scribble}d on without loss Usually in the combining forms "scratch memory", "scratch register", "scratch disk", "scratch tape", "scratch volume". See also {scratch monkey}. 2. (primarily {IBM}) To delete (as in a file). [{Jargon File}] (1994-12-15)
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