v. t. | 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. |
v. i. | 1. | To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to make scratches. |
| 2. | (Billiards) To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game. |
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. |
| 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. |
| 3. | (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. |
| 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. |
| 6. | In various sports, the line from which the start is made, except in the case of contestants receiving a distance handicap. |
a. | 1. | 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. |
Noun | 1. | scratch - an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off |
| 2. | scratch - a depression scratched or carved into a surface |
| 3. | scratch - informal terms for moneySynonyms: boodle, clams, dinero, gelt, kale, lettuce, lolly, lucre, moolah, pelf, shekels, simoleons, wampum, loot, dough, bread, cabbage, sugar |
| 4. | scratch - dry mash for poultry |
| 5. | scratch - a harsh noise made by scraping; "the scrape of violin bows distracted her" |
| 6. | scratch - poor handwriting |
| 7. | scratch - an indication of damage |
Verb | 1. | scratch - cause friction; "my sweater scratches" |
| 2. | scratch - cut the surface of; wear away the surface of |
| 3. | scratch - scrape or rub as if to relieve itching; "Don't scratch your insect bites!" |
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