scratch

views updated Jun 27 2018

scratch / skrach/ • v. 1. [tr.] score or mark the surface of (something) with a sharp or pointed object: the car's paintwork was battered and scratched | [intr.] he scratched at a stain on his jacket. ∎  make a long, narrow superficial wound in the skin of: her arms were scratched by the thorns I scratched myself on the tree. ∎  rub (a part of one's body) with one's fingernails to relieve itching: Jessica lifted her sunglasses and scratched her nose. ∎  make (a mark or hole) by scoring a surface with a sharp or pointed object: I found two names scratched on one of the windowpanes. ∎  write (something) hurriedly or awkwardly: pass me my writing things—I'll scratch a few letters before I get up. ∎  [tr.] remove (something) from something else by pulling a sharp implement over it: he scratched away the plaster. ∎  [intr.] make a rasping or grating noise by scraping something over a hard surface: the dog scratched to be let in | [as n.] (scratching) there was a sound of scratching behind the wall. ∎  [intr.] [often as n.] (scratching) play a record using the scratch technique (see sense 1 of the n. below.) ∎  [intr.] (of a bird or mammal, esp. a chicken) rake the ground with the beak or claws in search of food. ∎  accomplish (something) with great effort or difficulty: he scratches out a living growing strawberries.2. [tr.] cancel or strike out (writing) with a pen or pencil: the name of Dr. McNab was scratched out and that of Dr. Daniels substituted. ∎  withdraw (a competitor) from a competition: Oswald's Zephyr was the second horse to be scratched from a race today. ∎  [intr.] (of a competitor) withdraw from a competition: due to a knee injury she was forced to scratch from the race. ∎  cancel or abandon (an undertaking or project): the original filming schedule has been scratched.• n. 1. a mark or wound made by scratching: the scratches on her arm were throbbing | [as adj.] scratch marks on the door. ∎  [in sing.] inf. a slight or insignificant wound or injury: it's nothing—just a scratch. ∎  [in sing.] an act or spell of scratching oneself to relieve itching: he gave his scalp a good scratch. ∎  a rasping or grating noise produced by something rubbing against a hard surface: the scratch of a match lighting a cigarette. ∎  a rough hiss, caused by the friction of the stylus in the groove, heard when a record is played. ∎  a technique, used esp. in rap music, of stopping a record by hand and moving it back and forth to give a rhythmic scratching effect.2. the starting point in a handicap for a competitor receiving no odds. ∎  Golf a handicap of zero, indicating that a player is good enough to achieve par on a course.3. inf. money: he was working to get some scratch together.• adj. 1. assembled or made from whatever is available, and so unlikely to be of the highest quality: at least two vessels set sail with scratch crews.2. (of a sports competitor or event) with no handicap given.PHRASES: from scratch from the very beginning, esp. without utilizing or relying on any previous work for assistance: he built his own computer company from scratch.scratch a —— and find a —— used to suggest that an investigation of someone or something soon reveals their true nature: he had been taught to believe “scratch a pious man and find a hypocrite.”scratch one's head inf. think hard in order to find a solution to something. ∎  feel or express bewilderment.scratch the surface1. deal with a matter only in the most superficial way: research has only scratched the surface of the paranormal.2. initiate the briefest investigation to discover something concealed: they have a boring image, but scratch the surface and it's fascinating.up to scratch up to the required standard; satisfactory: her German was not up to scratch.DERIVATIVES: scratch·er n.

scratch

views updated May 11 2018

scratch wound the surface of the skin with the nails, etc. XV; rub lightly with the nails or claws XVI; make linear abrasions on XVII. prob. blending of synon. (dial.) scrat (XIII) and †cratch (XIII); the orig. of these forms is obscure, but cf. MLG., MDu. kratsen, OHG. krazzōn (G. kratzen), OSw. kratta scratch.
Hence scratch sb. result of scratching XVI; mark indicating starting-point XVIII; adj. hastily done, collected, etc. XIX.

scratch

views updated Jun 11 2018

scratch scratch a — and find a — an investigation of someone or something soon reveals their true nature. First in English in the early 19th century as scratch the Russian and you will find the Tartar, translating French and attributed to Napoleon.
you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours if you do me a favour, I will return it. Proverbial; mutual back-scratching as a metaphor for reciprocity has been current since the early 18th century.

Scratch

views updated Jun 27 2018

Scratch (dial.) usu. Old S., the Devil. XVIII. alt. of (dial.) scrat (XV) hermaphrodite — ON. skrat(t)i wizard, goblin, monster, rel. to OHG. scrato (G. schrat) satyr, sprite.