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scratch

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Scratch is defined as to lightly scrape or dig at with nails or claws or slightly cut or mark a surface with something sharp.

(verb)

An example of to scratch is someone relieving an itch with their nails.
An example of to scratch is a cat attacking someone with its claws.
An example of to scratch is someone carving their name in a tree trunk.

See scratch in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to mark, break, or cut the surface of slightly with something pointed or sharp
to tear or dig with the nails or claws
1. to rub or scrape lightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching, etc.
2. to chafe
to rub or scrape with a grating noise: to scratch a match on a wall
to write or draw hurriedly or carelessly
to strike out or cancel (writing, etc.)
to gather or collect with difficulty; scrape (together or up)
Sports to withdraw (an entry) from a contest, specif. from a horse race

Origin: LME scracchen, prob. altered < scratten, to scratch, based on cracchen < or akin to MDu cratsen, to scratch < IE base *gred- > Alb gërüj, (I) scratch

intransitive verb

to use nails or claws in digging or wounding
to rub or scrape the skin lightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching, etc.
to manage to get by; scrape by
to make a harsh, scraping noise
to withdraw from a race or contest
in certain card games, to score no points
Billiards, Pool to commit a scratch

noun

the act of scratching
a mark or tear made in a surface by something sharp or rough
a wound, usually superficial, inflicted by nails, claws, or something pointed pulled across the skin, etc.
a slight grating or scraping sound
a hasty mark, as of a pen; scribble
the starting line of a race
in certain card games, a score of zero
☆ Slang money
Billiards, Pool
1. a shot that results in a penalty
2. a miss
Sports
1. the starting point or time of a contestant who receives no handicap
2. such a contestant
3. an entry withdrawn from a contest

adjective

☆ used for hasty notes, preliminary or tentative figuring, etc.: scratch paper
skillful enough to require no handicap or special allowance in a contest: a scratch golfer
put together in haste and without much selection: a scratch team
☆ Baseball designating a chance hit credited to a batter for a ball not hit sharply, but on which the batter reaches base safely

Related Forms:

scratcher noun

noun

the Devil

usually Old Scratch

Origin: altered (infl. by scratch) < ME skratte < ON skratti, monster, sorcerer, akin to OHG scraz, goblin < IE base *(s)ker-, to shrink > scrannel

See scratch in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb scratched, scratch·ing, scratch·es

verb, transitive

To make a thin shallow cut or mark on (a surface) with a sharp instrument.
To use the nails or claws to dig or scrape at.
To rub or scrape (the skin) to relieve itching.
To scrape or strike on an abrasive surface.
To write or draw (something) by scraping a surface: scratched their initials on a rock.
To write or draw hurriedly: scratched off a thank-you note.
a. To strike out or cancel (a word, for example) by or as if by drawing lines through.
b. Slang To cancel (a project or program, for example).
To withdraw (an entry) from a contest.

verb, intransitive

To use the nails or claws to dig, scrape, or wound.
To rub or scrape the skin to relieve itching.
To make a harsh scraping sound.
To gather funds or produce a living with difficulty.
a. To withdraw from a contest.
b. Games To make a shot in billiards that results in a penalty, as when the cue ball falls into a pocket or jumps the cushion.

noun

a. A mark resembling a line that is produced by scratching.
b. A slight wound.
A hasty scribble.
A sound made by scratching.
a. Sports The starting line for a race.
b. A contestant who has been withdrawn from a competition.
Games
a. The act of scratching in billiards.
b. A fluke or chance shot in billiards.
Poultry feed.
Slang Money.