meaning of scratch
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.
2. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly.
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.
5. To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to make scratches.
6. To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.
11. A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke.
12. 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.
13. The first coat in plastering; -- called also scratchwork. See Pricking-up.
14. 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 scribbled 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]
15. an indication of damage
Related Words
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