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.
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            Small sand-colored stones, so hard as to scratch
            glass.                                --Grew.
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            Be mindful, when invention fails,
            To scratch your head, and bite your nails. --Swift.
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   2. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. "Scratch out a
      pamphlet." --Swift.
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   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.
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   4. To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals
      scratch holes, in which they burrow.
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   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.]
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