SCRATCH


Meaning of SCRATCH in English

I. ˈskrach verb

Etymology: Middle English scracchen, probably blend of scratten to scratch and cracchen to scratch

Date: 15th century

transitive verb

1. : to scrape or dig with the claws or nails

2. : to rub and tear or mark the surface of with something sharp or jagged

3.

a. : to scrape or rub lightly (as to relieve itching)

b. : to act on (a desire) — used with itch

scratch the itch to travel

4. : to scrape together : collect with difficulty or by effort

scratch out a living

5. : to write or draw on a surface

6.

a. : to cancel or erase by or as if by drawing a line through

b. : to withdraw (an entry) from competition

7. : scribble , scrawl

8. : to scrape along a rough surface

scratch a match

intransitive verb

1. : to use the claws or nails in digging, tearing, or wounding

2. : to scrape or rub oneself lightly (as to relieve itching)

3. : to gather money or make a living by hard work and especially through irregular means and sacrifice

had to scratch and save for college

4.

a. : to make a thin grating sound

b. : to produce a rhythmic scratching sound by moving a phonograph record back and forth under a phonograph needle

5. : to withdraw from a contest or engagement

6. : to make a scratch in billiards or pool

• scratch·er noun

- scratch one's back

- scratch one's head

- scratch the surface

II. noun

Date: circa 1586

1. : a mark or injury produced by scratching ; also : a slight wound

2. : scrawl , scribble

3. : the sound made by scratching

4. : the starting line in a race

5.

a. : a test of courage

b. : satisfactory condition, level, or performance

not up to scratch

6. : a contestant whose name is withdrawn

7. : poultry feed (as mixed grains) scattered on the litter or ground especially to induce birds to exercise — called also scratch feed

8.

a. : a shot in billiards or pool that ends a player's turn ; specifically : a shot in pool in which the cue ball falls into the pocket

b. : a shot that scores by chance : fluke

9. slang : money , funds

- from scratch

III. adjective

Date: 1851

1. : arranged or put together with little selection : haphazard

a scratch team

2. : made as or used for a tentative effort

3. : made or done by chance and not as intended

a scratch shot

4. : having no handicap or allowance

a scratch golfer

5. : made from scratch : made with basic ingredients

a scratch cake

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.