I. ˈich verb
Etymology: Middle English icchen, from Old English giccan; akin to Old High German jucchen to itch
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to have an itch
her arm itch ed
b. : to produce an itchy sensation
long underwear that itch es
2. : to have a restless desire or hankering for something
were itch ing to go outside
transitive verb
1. : to cause to itch
2. : vex , irritate
II. noun
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : an uneasy irritating sensation in the upper surface of the skin usually held to result from mild stimulation of pain receptors
b. : a skin disorder accompanied by such a sensation ; especially : a contagious eruption caused by a mite ( Sarcoptes scabiei ) that burrows in the skin and causes intense itching
2.
a. : a restless usually constant often compulsive desire
an itch to travel
b. : lust , prurience
• itch·i·ness ˈi-chē-nəs noun
• itchy ˈi-chē adjective