scratch

present singular third person scratches · participle present scratching · participle past scratched · past scratched

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?

   1 more example

   Then riſing with Aurora’s Light, / The Muse invok’d, ſit down to write; / Blot out, correct, inſert, refine, / Enlarge, diminiſh, interline; / Be mindful, when Invention fails, / To ſcratch your Head, and bite your Nails.

   1733, [Jonathan Swift], On Poetry: A Rapsody, Dublin; London: […] [R. Fleming] [a]nd sold by J. Huggonson, […], →OCLC, pages 7–8, lines 85–90

   Synonyms: scrabble

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 more example

   Sometimes I lost track of them and had to hunt round in a circle, thrusting through sharp-scented bushes, scratching myself [translating m’écorchant] on various plants which were still new to me: resinaceous rock-roses, juniper, ilex, yellow and white asphodel.

   1962, Simone de Beauvoir, translated by Peter Green, The Prime of Life, Cleveland, OH: The World Publishing Company, translation of La Force de l'âge, →OCLC, page 77

   1. To irritate someone's skin with one's unshaven beard when kissing.
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 get such scratches.

   This platter scratches easily.

5. 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.

      1 more example

      When the favorite was scratched from the race, there was a riot at the betting windows.

6. entertainmentTo produce a distinctive sound on a turntable by moving a vinyl record back and forth while manipulating the crossfader (see also scratching).
7. ball gamesTo 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.

8. USdatedball gamesTo score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.
9. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly; scrawl.

   If any of the Labourers can ſcratch out a Pamphlet, they deſire no more; There is no Queſtion offered about the Wit, the Style, the Argument.

   1714 February, [Jonathan Swift], The Publick Spirit of the Whigs: Set forth in Their Generous Encouragement of the Author of the Crisis: […], London: […] [John Barber] for John Morphew, […], →OCLC, page 1

10. ambitransitiveTo dig or excavate with the claws.

    Some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow.

11. 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.

12. athleticsTo announce one's non-participation in a race or sports event part of a larger sports meeting that one was previously signed up for, usually in lieu of another event at the same meeting.

    Hurtis-Houairi, in lane three, quickly caught Arron, who was in lane four, winning in 22.80. Arron, who scratched the 100m semis in order to focus on the longer sprint, could only run 23.44.

    2008 July 26, P-J Vazel, World Athletics

    1 more example

    Kerley, 26, is the 2019 World bronze medalist at 400 meters, a distance he is known for and with which he also won the 2017 and 2019 U.S. titles, but surprised the track world by announcing one week ago that he scratched the 400m and would focus on the 100m and 200m in Eugene, Oregon, despite not having raced the 100m between 2015 and 2020.

    2021 June 21, Brandon Penny, NBC Sports

plural scratches

1. countableuncountableA disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.

   Her skin was covered with tiny scratches.

   5 more examples

   I can’t believe there is a scratch in the paint already.

   God forbid a shallow scratch should drive / The prince of Wales from such a field as this.

   1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iv]

   The coarse file[…]makes deep scratches in the work.

   1677–1683, Joseph Moxon, “(please specify the page)”, in Mechanick Exercises, or The Doctrine of Handy-Works, […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: […] Joseph Moxon, published 1678–1683, →OCLC

   These nails with scratches deform my breast.

   1709, Matthew Prior, Henry and Emma, line 503

   Thus, when he drew up instructions in lawyer language, he expressed the important words by an initial, a medial, or a final consonant, and made scratches for all the words between; his clerks, however, understood him very well.

   1892, Walter Besant, “Prologue: Who is Edmund Gray?”, in The Ivory Gate […], New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], →OCLC

2. countableuncountableAn act of scratching the skin to alleviate an itch or irritation.

   The dog sat up and had a good scratch.

3. countableuncountablehobbiesA starting line (originally and simply, a line scratched in the ground), as in boxing.

   He started a few seconds before the time and came up in speed to the scratch at the moment appointed.

   1820, Reuben Percy, Sholto Percy, The Percy Anecdotes

4. countableuncountablehobbiesA 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.
5. countableuncountablecyclingThe last riders to depart in a handicap race.

   Eventually the elephant and camel were despatched by themselves with two laps start of the bicyclist and horse, the motor car being scratch.

   1901, “Gleanings”, in The Agricultural Journal and Mining Record, volume 4, number 1, page 31

6. An aberration.
   1. countableuncountableball gamesA foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table.
   2. USarchaiccountableslanguncountableball gamesA shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke.
7. countableuncountablehobbiesA horse withdrawn from a race prior to the start.

   There were two scratches in race 8, which reduced the field from nine horses to seven.

8. countableuncountableA minor injury.

   It's just a scratch!

9. countableslanguncountableMoney; especially, cash.

   He and Bruce cooked up a script together, and Bruce flew home to raise the scratch.

   2006, Clive James, North Face of Soho, Picador, published 2007, page 153

10. countableuncountableA feed, usually a mixture of a few common grains, given to chickens.

    Synonyms: chicken scratch

11. countablein pluraluncountableMinute, but tender and troublesome, excoriations, covered with scabs, upon the heels of horses which have been used where it is very wet or muddy.

    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[…].

    1887, James Law, The Farmer's Veterinary Adviser

12. countablehistoricaluncountableA scratch wig.

    [H]e turned to him with a dejected Face, and said ‘ – pray Sir, – could you touch up This a little?’ taking hold of his frightful scratch.

    1775, Frances Burney, Journals & Letters, Penguin 2001, 26 March

13. countableuncountableentertainmentA genre of Virgin Islander music, better known as fungi.

    Synonyms: fungi, quelbe

14. countableuncountablePoor handwriting; especially, illegibly so.

    The handwriting in his paper is completely different when compared to his scratch on the note you gave me

    2017, P. L. Hawks, I Love Paris

    Synonyms: chicken scratch, scrawl

15. countableuncountableNothing, zero. Used especially in card games or sports, but also expressions like "from scratch".

1. not comparableFor or consisting of preliminary or tentative, incomplete, etc. work.

   This is scratch paper, so go ahead and scribble whatever you want on it.

2. not comparableHastily assembled, arranged or constructed, from whatever materials are to hand, with little or no preparation

   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.

   1988, James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, Oxford, published 2004, page 740

   1 more example

   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.

   1902, Henry James, The Wings of the Dove

3. not comparablecomputingRelating to a scratchpad, a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary use.

   scratch memory

4. not comparablehobbies(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.

   ... 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.

   1964, Charles Price, The American golfer, page 48

1. computingA free educational visual programming language and a programming site developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab.
2. A surname.