scratches

[ skrach-iz ]

/ ˈskrætʃ ɪz /

noun (used with a singular verb) Veterinary Pathology.

a disease of horses marked by dry rifts or chaps that appear on the skin near the fetlock, behind the knee, or in front of the hock.

Origin of scratches

First recorded in 1605–15; see origin at scratch, -s³

Words nearby scratches

scratch video, scratch wig, scratchboard, scratchcard, scratcher, scratches, scratchie, scratching, scratching post, scratchplate, scratchproof

Definition for scratches (2 of 3)

scratch

[ skrach ]

/ skrætʃ /

verb (used with object)

to break, mar, or mark the surface of by rubbing, scraping, or tearing with something sharp or rough: to scratch one's hand on a nail.

to dig, scrape, or tear (something) out or off with or as if with the nails, claws, etc.: to scratch the burs off one's coat.

to rub or scrape slightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching.

to rub or draw along a rough, grating surface: to scratch a match on the sidewalk.

to erase, cancel, strike out, or eliminate (a name, something written, etc.) by or as if by drawing a line through it (often followed by out): Scratch out the third name on the list.

to withdraw (an entry) from a race or competition.

U.S. Politics.

to divide (one's vote) though predominantly supporting one political party or faction.
to strike out or reject a particular name or names on (a party ticket) in voting.

to write or draw by scraping or cutting the lines into a surface: She scratched her initials on the glass.

to manipulate (a phonograph record) back and forth under the stylus to produce rhythmic sounds.

verb (used without object)

to use the nails, claws, etc., for tearing, digging, etc.

to relieve itching by rubbing or scraping lightly, as with the fingernails.

to make a slight grating noise, as a pen.

to earn a living or to manage in any respect with great difficulty: We scratched along that year on very little money.

to withdraw or be withdrawn from a contest or competition.

(in certain card games) to make no score; earn no points.

Billiards, Pool. to make a shot that results in a penalty, especially to pocket the cue ball without hitting the object ball.

noun

a slight injury, mar, or mark, usually thin and shallow, caused by scratching: three scratches on my leg; a noticeable scratch on the table.

a rough mark made by a pen, pencil, etc.; scrawl.

an act of scratching.

the slight grating sound caused by scratching.

the starting place, starting time, or status of a competitor in a handicap who has no allowance and no penalty.

Billiards, Pool.

a shot resulting in a penalty, especially a pocketing of the cue ball without hitting the object ball.
a fluke or lucky shot.

(in certain card games) a score of zero; nothing.

Baseball. scratch hit.

scratch wig.

Slang. money; cash.

adjective

used for hasty writing, notes, etc.: scratch paper.

without any allowance, penalty, or handicap, as a competitor or contestant.

Informal. done by or dependent on chance: a scratch shot.

Informal. gathered hastily and indiscriminately: a scratch crew.

done or made from scratch: a scratch cake.

Origin of scratch

1425–75; late Middle English scracche (v.), blend of Middle English scratte to scratch, and cracche to scratch; cognate with Middle Dutch cratsen

OTHER WORDS FROM scratch

scratch·a·ble, adjective scratch·a·bly, adverb scratch·er, noun scratch·less, adjective

scratch·like, adjective un·scratch·a·ble, adjective un·scratched, adjective un·scratch·ing, adjective

Definition for scratches (3 of 3)

Scratch

[ skrach ]

/ skrætʃ /

noun

Old Scratch; Satan.

Origin of Scratch

1730–40; alteration of scrat hermaphrodite (late Middle English scratte; compare Old English scritta (once), which may be an error for *scratta); cognate with Old Norse skratti devil, goblin, wizard, Old High German skraz wood-demon

Example sentences from the Web for scratches

He says that someone cut the legs of jogger, when no one had, although her legs were covered with scratches.

The Myth of the Central Park Five |Edward Conlon |October 19, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
A teen swings from the branches and scratches its back against the jungle floor.

Can Gorillas Save the Democratic Republic of the Congo? |Nina Strochlic |April 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
“A couple of them had scratches, a couple had busted eardrums,” Canaday said.

Oklahoma Tornado Hero Teacher Anna Canaday: ‘Take Me Instead’ |Michael Daly |May 23, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
While none mentioned any scratches, a few add low battery life to the complaint about the Maps app.

Daily Beast Readers Review Apple’s iPhone 5 |Sam Schlinkert |September 26, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

The scratches found on his body indicated he had either fallen while running, or while scrambling down toward the creek.

The Final Run of Ultra-Marathoner Micah True |Nick Heil |May 19, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Minor chips, scratches, and abrasions on the shell result from a variety of sources, some of them mentioned above.

Natural History of the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata Agassiz |John M. Legler
Scratches are made upon the smoked plate, and these reproduce the picture on the original plate.

Wireless Transmission of Photographs |Marcus J. Martin
At other times it is produced by bruises, scratches, or other direct injury of the cornea.

Special Report on Diseases of Cattle |U.S. Department of Agriculture
He suddenly exclaimed, "Here are four scratches in a straight row."

The Secret Wireless |Lewis E. Theiss
You have disabled four of my men, and have scarcely a dozen scratches to show for it.

The Puppet Crown |Harold MacGrath

British Dictionary definitions for scratches (1 of 2)

scratches

/ (ˈskrætʃɪz) /

noun

(functioning as singular) a disease of horses characterized by dermatitis in the region of the fetlock Also called: cracked heels, mud fever

Word Origin for scratches

C16: so called because it makes the pastern appear to be scratched

British Dictionary definitions for scratches (2 of 2)

scratch

/ (skrætʃ) /

verb

to mark or cut (the surface of something) with a rough or sharp instrument

(often foll by at, out, off, etc) to scrape (the surface of something), as with claws, nails, etc

to scrape (the surface of the skin) with the nails, as to relieve itching

to chafe or irritate (a surface, esp the skin)

to make or cause to make a grating sound; scrape

(tr sometimes foll by out) to erase by or as if by scraping

(tr) to write or draw awkwardly

(intr sometimes foll by along) to earn a living, manage, etc, with difficulty

to withdraw (an entry) from a race, match, etc

(intr) billiards snooker

to make a shot resulting in a penalty
to make a lucky shot

(tr) US to cancel (the name of a candidate) from a party ticket in an election

(intr often foll by for) Australian informal to be struggling or in difficulty, esp in earning a living

to treat (a subject) superficially

you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours if you will help me, I will help you

noun

the act of scratching

a slight injury

a mark made by scratching

a slight grating sound

(in a handicap sport)

a competitor or the status of a competitor who has no allowance or receives a penalty
(as modifier)a scratch player

the time, initial score, etc, of such a competitor

the line from which competitors start in a race
(formerly) a line drawn on the floor of a prize ring at which the contestants stood to begin or continue fighting

a withdrawn competitor in a race, etc

billiards snooker

a shot that results in a penalty, as when the cue ball enters the pocket
a lucky shot

poultry food

from scratch informal from the very beginning

up to scratch (usually used with a negative) informal up to standard

adjective

sport (of a team) assembled hastily

(in a handicap sport) with no allowance or penalty

informal rough or haphazard

Derived forms of scratch

scratchy, adjective scratchily, adverb scratchiness, noun

Word Origin for scratch

C15: via Old French escrater from Germanic; compare Old High German krazzōn (German kratzen); related to Old French gratter to grate 1

Idioms and Phrases with scratches

scratch

In addition to the idioms beginning with scratch

scratch one's head
scratch someone's back
scratch the surface

also see:

from scratch
up to par (scratch)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

scratches

noun (used with a singular verb) Veterinary Pathology.

Origin of scratches

Words nearby scratches

Definition for scratches (2 of 3)

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

adjective

Origin of scratch

OTHER WORDS FROM scratch

Definition for scratches (3 of 3)

noun

Origin of Scratch

Example sentences from the Web for scratches

British Dictionary definitions for scratches (1 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for scratches

British Dictionary definitions for scratches (2 of 2)

verb

noun

adjective

Derived forms of scratch

Word Origin for scratch

Idioms and Phrases with scratches

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

scratches

noun (used with a singular verb) Veterinary Pathology.

Origin of scratches

Words nearby scratches

Definition for scratches (2 of 3)

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

adjective

Origin of scratch

OTHER WORDS FROM scratch

Definition for scratches (3 of 3)

noun

Origin of Scratch

Words related to scratches

Example sentences from the Web for scratches

British Dictionary definitions for scratches (1 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for scratches

British Dictionary definitions for scratches (2 of 2)

verb

noun

adjective

Derived forms of scratch

Word Origin for scratch

Idioms and Phrases with scratches