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| scratch [ skrach ] |
verb (past and past participle scratched, present participle scratch·ing, 3rd person present singular scratch·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb scrape surface: to make a slight mark on the surface of something with something sharp or rough
  He scratched the tabletop with the knife.
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2. transitive and intransitive verb tear skin: to make a thin tear in the surface of the skin of a person or animal
The cat scratched me.
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3. transitive and intransitive verb relieve itching: to rub the skin with nails or claws, especially to relieve itching or discomfort
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4. transitive and intransitive verb make scraping movement: to rub or scrape a surface, e.g. with claws or a scraping instrument
The cat was scratching at the door.
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5. intransitive verb make harsh noise: to make a scraping sound
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6. transitive verb drag something along surface: to drag something along a rough surface so that the object is scraped
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7. transitive and intransitive verb cause itching: to irritate the surface of the skin by being rough or prickly
a wool sweater that scratches
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8. transitive verb write something with sharp instrument: to write or draw something by marking a surface with a pointed or sharp instrument
names scratched on the tree
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9. transitive and intransitive verb pen quickly: to write or draw something hastily
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10. transitive verb delete something: to delete or erase something by scraping it off, crossing it out, or rendering it illegible
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11. transitive verb cancel something: to cancel or abandon a project, plan, or proposal completely
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12. intransitive verb search aimlessly: to search for something in an unsystematic way by picking through things or looking on the ground
scratching around for evidence
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13. transitive and intransitive verb just get by: to make a barely adequate living
scratching out a living
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14. transitive and intransitive verb music produce scraping sound from record: to run a record backward and forward on a turntable in order to repeat and distort the original sound of the record
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15. transitive and intransitive verb withdraw from competition: to withdraw a person or team from a race or competition
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16. intransitive verb cue games incur penalty: to make a billiard shot that incurs a penalty, e.g. by hitting the cue ball into a pocket
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17. intransitive verb cue games make fluke shot: in billiards, to make a mishit that produces a score
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noun (plural scratch·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. mark on surface: a slight mark on a surface made with something sharp or rough
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2. tear in skin: a thin cut or tear in the surface of the skin of a person or animal
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3. scraping sound: a scraping sound, especially one made with the claws or nails
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4. action to relieve itching: a rubbing of the skin with the nails or claws, especially to relieve itching or discomfort
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5. scribbly writing: something written hastily or illegibly
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6. money: money or cash
(
slang
)
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7. sports
Same as scratch line (sense 1)
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8. sports withdrawn competitor: a person or team withdrawn from a race or competition
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9. golf handicap of zero: in golf, a zero handicap
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10. cue games shot incurring penalty: a billiard shot that incurs a penalty
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11. cue games fluke shot: in billiards, a mishit that produces a score
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12. music type of pop music: music produced by running a record backward and forward on a turntable, repeating and distorting the original sound. Scratch is performed especially by disk jockeys in clubs.
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adjective |
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| Definition: |
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1. for jotted notes: used for making quick or preliminary notes
scratch paper
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2. sports done randomly: done randomly or by chance
a scratch shot
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3. assembled hastily: assembled hastily from available resources
a scratch team
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4. golf with no handicap: playing golf with a handicap of zero
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| [14th century. Probably blend of dialect scrat "scratch" (< ?) + dialect cratch "scratch" (< ?)] |
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from scratch
1. right from the beginning, or with nothing having been done previously
2. using basic ingredients instead of a prepared mix
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up to scratch of or up to a satisfactory standard (informal)
exam results that aren't really up to scratch
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