• |
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. |
• |
To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. |
• |
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. |
• |
To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals
scratch holes, in which they burrow. |
• |
To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to
make scratches. |
• |
To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate
chance of the game. |
• |
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. |
• |
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. |
• |
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. |
• |
A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head. |
• |
A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the
player; a fluke. |
• |
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. |