[scar.i.fy] vt -fied ; -fy.ing [ME scarifien, fr. MF scarifier, fr. LL scarificare, alter. of L scarifare, fr. Gk skariphasthai to scratch an outline, sketch--more at scribe] (14c) 1: to make scratches or small cuts in (as the skin) "~ an area for vaccination"
2: to lacerate the feelings of
3: to break up and loosen the surface of (as a field or road)
4: to cut or soften the wall of (a hard seed) to hasten germination -- scar.i.fi.er n
[2]scarify vt -fied ; -fy.ing (1794): scare, frighten -- scar.i.fy.ing.ly adv