scratch
    n 1: an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off [syn:
         abrasion, scratch, scrape, excoriation]
    2: a depression scratched or carved into a surface [syn:
       incision, scratch, prick, slit, dent]
    3: informal terms for money [syn: boodle, bread, cabbage,
       clams, dinero, dough, gelt, kale, lettuce,
       lolly, lucre, loot, moolah, pelf, scratch,
       shekels, simoleons, sugar, wampum]
    4: a competitor who has withdrawn from competition
    5: a line indicating the location of the start of a race or a
       game [syn: start, starting line, scratch, scratch
       line]
    6: dry mash for poultry [syn: chicken feed, scratch]
    7: a harsh noise made by scraping; "the scrape of violin bows
       distracted her" [syn: scrape, scraping, scratch,
       scratching]
    8: poor handwriting [syn: scribble, scratch, scrawl,
       cacography]
    9: (golf) a handicap of zero strokes; "a golfer who plays at
       scratch should be able to achieve par on a course"
    10: an indication of damage [syn: scratch, scrape, scar,
        mark]
    v 1: cause friction; "my sweater scratches" [syn: rub, fray,
         fret, chafe, scratch]
    2: cut the surface of; wear away the surface of [syn: scratch,
       scrape, scratch up]
    3: scrape or rub as if to relieve itching; "Don't scratch your
       insect bites!" [syn: rub, scratch, itch]
    4: postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled;
       "Call off the engagement"; "cancel the dinner party"; "we had
       to scrub our vacation plans"; "scratch that meeting--the
       chair is ill" [syn: cancel, call off, scratch, scrub]
    5: remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line;
       "Please strike this remark from the record"; "scratch that
       remark" [syn: strike, scratch, expunge, excise]
    6: gather (money or other resources) together over time; "She
       had scraped together enough money for college"; "they
       scratched a meager living" [syn: scrape, scrape up,
       scratch, come up]
    7: carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface; "engrave a
       pen"; "engraved the trophy cupt with the winner's"; "the
       lovers scratched their names into the bark of the tree" [syn:
       scratch, engrave, grave, inscribe]

Scratch \Scratch\, v. i.
   1. To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to
      make scratches.
      [1913 Webster]

            Dull, tame things, . . . that will neither bite nor
            scratch.                              --Dr. H. More.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Billiards) To score, not by skillful play but by some
      fortunate chance of the game. [Cant, U. S.]
      [1913 Webster]

Scratch \Scratch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scratched; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Scratching.] [OE. cracchen (perhaps influenced by OE.
   scratten to scratch); cf. OHG. chrazz[=o]n, G. kratzen, OD.
   kratsen, kretsen, D. krassen, Sw. kratsa to scrape, kratta to
   rake, to scratch, Dan. kradse to scratch, to scrape, Icel.
   krota to engrave. Cf. Grate to rub.]
   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.
      [1913 Webster]

            Small sand-colored stones, so hard as to scratch
            glass.                                --Grew.
      [1913 Webster]

            Be mindful, when invention fails,
            To scratch your head, and bite your nails. --Swift.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. "Scratch out a
      pamphlet." --Swift.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals
      scratch holes, in which they burrow.
      [1913 Webster]

   To scratch a ticket, to cancel one or more names of
      candidates on a party ballot; to refuse to vote the party
      ticket in its entirety. [U. S.]
      [1913 Webster]

Scratch \Scratch\, 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.
      [1913 Webster]

            The coarse file . . . makes deep scratches in the
            work.                                 --Moxon.
      [1913 Webster]

            These nails with scratches deform my breast.
                                                  --Prior.
      [1913 Webster]

            God forbid a shallow scratch should drive
            The prince of Wales from such a field as this.
                                                  --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   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. [Cant] --Grose.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. pl. (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. --Law
      (Farmer's Veter. Adviser).
      [1913 Webster]

   4. A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. (Billiards)
      (a) A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by
          the player; a fluke. [Cant, U. S.]
      (b) a shot which results in a penalty, such as dropping
          the cue ball in a pocket without hitting another ball.
          [1913 Webster +PJC]

   6. In various sports, the line from which the start is made,
      except in the case of contestants receiving a distance
      handicap.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   Scratch cradle. See Cratch cradle, under Cratch.

   Scratch grass (Bot.), a climbing knotweed (Polygonum
      sagittatum) with a square stem beset with fine recurved
      prickles along the angles.

   Scratch wig. Same as Scratch, 4, above. --Thackeray.

   start from scratch to start (again) from the very
      beginning; also, to start without resources.
      [1913 Webster]

Scratch \Scratch\, 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. [Slang]
   [1913 Webster]

   Scratch race, one without restrictions regarding the
      entrance of competitors; also, one for which the
      competitors are chosen by lot.
      [1913 Webster]

scratch


    1. [from scratchpad] adj. Describes a data structure or recording medium
    attached to a machine for testing or temporary-use purposes; one that can
    be scribbled on without loss. Usually in the combining forms scratch
    memory, scratch register, scratch disk, scratch tape, scratch volume. See
    also scratch monkey.

    2. [primarily IBM, also Commodore] vt. To delete (as in a file).

scratch

   1. (From "scratchpad") Describes a data structure or recording
   medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary-use
   purposes; one that can be scribbled on without loss.
   Usually in the combining forms "scratch memory", "scratch
   register", "scratch disk", "scratch tape", "scratch volume".

   See also scratch monkey.

   2. (primarily IBM) To delete (as in a file).

   [Jargon File]

   (1994-12-15)