scratch

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See also: Scratch

English

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

Etymology

Probably from a blend of the Middle English scratten (“to scratch”) and crachen (“to scratch”), of unknown origin.

Pronunciation

  • enPR: skrăch, IPA(key): /skɹætʃ/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ætʃ

Verb

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  1. To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.
    Could you please scratch my back?
    • (Can we date this quote by Jonathan Swift and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      Be mindful, when invention fails, / To scratch your head, and bite your nails.
  2. To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching.
    I don't like that new scarf because it scratches my neck.
    1. For a man, when kissing someone, to irritate the skin of that person with one's unshaven beard.
  3. To mark a surface with a sharp object, thereby leaving a scratch (noun).
    A real diamond can easily scratch a pane of glass.
  4. To cross out, strike out, strike through some text on a page.
    1. Hence, to remove, ignore or delete.
      Scratch what I said earlier; I was wrong.
      When the favorite was scratched from the race, there was a riot at the betting windows.
  5. (music) To produce a distinctive sound on a turntable by moving a vinyl record back and forth while manipulating the crossfader (see also scratching).
  6. (billiards) To commit a foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table.
    Embarrassingly, he scratched on the break, popping the cue completely off the table.
  7. (billiards, dated, US) To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.
  8. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly; scrawl.
    • (Can we date this quote by Jonathan Swift and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      Scratch out a pamphlet.
  9. (transitive, intransitive) To dig or excavate with the claws.
    Some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow.
  10. To dig or scrape (a person's skin) with claws or fingernails in self-defense or with the intention to injure.
    The cat scratched the little girl.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Derived terms

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Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Noun

scratch (countable and uncountable, plural scratches)

  1. A disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.
    I can’t believe there is a scratch in the paint already.
    Her skin was covered with tiny scratches.
  2. An act of scratching the skin to alleviate an itch or irritation.
    The dog sat up and had a good scratch.
  3. (sports)
    1. A starting line (originally and simply, a line scratched in the ground), as in boxing.
      (Can we find and add a quotation of Grose to this entry?)
    2. A technical error of touching or surpassing the starting mark prior to the official start signal in the sporting events of long jump, discus, hammer throw, shot put, and similar. Originally the starting mark was a scratch on the ground but is now a board or precisely indicated mark.
    3. (cycling) The last riders to depart in a handicap race.
    4. (billiards) An aberration.
      1. A foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table.
      2. (archaic, US, slang) A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke.
  4. (slang) Money.
    • 2006, Clive James, North Face of Soho, Picador 2007, p. 153:
      He and Bruce cooked up a script together, and Bruce flew home to raise the scratch.
  5. A feed, usually a mixture of a few common grains, given to chickens.
  6. (in the plural) 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.
    • 1887, James Law, The Farmer's Veterinary Adviser
      These are exemplified in the scurfy, scaly affections which appear in the bend of the knee (mallenders) and hock (sallenders) and on the lower parts of the limbs, by scratches, and by a scaly exfoliation […].
  7. A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.
  8. (music) A genre of Virgin Islander music, better known as fungi.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Derived terms

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Translations

Adjective

scratch (not comparable)

  1. For or consisting of preliminary or tentative, incomplete, etc. work.
    This is scratch paper, so go ahead and scribble whatever you want on it.
  2. Hastily assembled, arranged or constructed, from whatever materials are to hand, with little or no preparation
    • 1902, Henry James, The Wings of the Dove:
      A scratch company of two innocuous youths and a pacified veteran was therefore what now offered itself to Mrs. Stringham, who rustled in a little breathless and full of the compunction of having had to come alone.
    • 1988, James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, Oxford 2004, p. 740:
      Bluecoats began crossing the James on June 14 and next day two corps approached Petersburg, which was held by Beauregard with a scratch force of 2,500.
  3. (computing, from scratchpad) Relating to a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary use.
  4. (sports) (of a player) Of a standard high enough to play without a handicap, i.e. to compete without the benefit of a variation in scoring based on ability.
    • 1964, Charles Price, The American golfer, page 48:
      ... the shot that does most to make a genuine scratch golfer is the mashie shot up to the pin — not merely up to the green.

Derived terms

References

French

Pronunciation

Noun

scratch m (plural scratchs)

  1. Velcro

Synonyms

Spanish

Noun

scratch m (plural scratchs)

  1. (music) scratch
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