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