n. & v.
n. 1 a the number of points, goals, runs, etc., made by a player, side, etc., in some games. b the total number of points etc. at the end of a game (the score was five-nil). c the act of gaining esp. a goal (a superb score there!). 2 (pl. same or scores) twenty or a set of twenty. 3 (in pl.) a great many (scores of people arrived). 4 a a reason or motive (rejected on the score of absurdity). b topic, subject (no worries on that score). 5 Mus. a a usu. printed copy of a composition showing all the vocal and instrumental parts arranged one below the other. b the music composed for a film or play, esp. for a musical. 6 colloq. a a piece of good fortune. b the act or an instance of scoring off another person. 7 colloq. the state of affairs; the present situation (asked what the score was). 8 a notch, line, etc. cut or scratched into a surface. 9 a an amount due for payment. b a running account kept by marks against a customer's name. 10 Naut. a groove in a block or dead-eye to hold a rope.
v. 1 tr. a win or gain (a goal, run, points, etc., or success etc.) (scored a century). b count for a score of (points in a game etc.) (a bull's-eye scores most points). c allot a score to (a competitor etc.). d make a record of (a point etc.). 2 intr. a make a score in a game (failed to score). b keep the tally of points, runs, etc. in a game. 3 tr. mark with notches, incisions, lines, etc.; slash; furrow (scored his name on the desk). 4 intr. secure an advantage by luck, cunning, etc. (that is where he scores). 5 tr. Mus. a orchestrate (a piece of music). b (usu. foll. by for) arrange for an instrument or instruments. c write the music for (a film, musical, etc.). d write out in a score. 6 tr. a (usu. foll. by up) mark (a total owed etc.) in a score (see sense 9b of n.). b (usu. foll. by against, to) enter (an item of debt to a customer). 7 intr. sl. a obtain drugs illegally. b (of a man) make a sexual conquest. 8 tr. (usu. foll. by against, to) mentally record (an offence etc.). 9 tr. US criticize (a person) severely. keep score (or the score) register the score as it is made. know the score colloq. be aware of the essential facts. on the score of for the reason that; because of. on that score so far as that is concerned. score-book (or -card or -sheet) a book etc. prepared for entering esp. cricket scores in. score draw a draw in football in which goals are scored. score off (or score points off) colloq. humiliate, esp. verbally in repartee etc. score out draw a line through (words etc.). score under underline. scorer n. scoring n. Mus.
[ (n.) f. OE: sense 5 f. the line or bar drawn through all staves: (v.) partly f. ON skora f. ON skor notch, tally, twenty, f. Gmc: see SHEAR ]