I. ˈsker-ə-ˌfī transitive verb
( -fied ; -fy·ing )
Etymology: Middle English scarifien, from Middle French scarefier, from Late Latin scarificare, alteration of Latin scarifare, from Greek skariphasthai to scratch an outline, sketch — more at scribe
Date: 14th century
1. : to make scratches or small cuts in (as the skin)
scarify an area for vaccination
2. : to lacerate the feelings of
3. : to break up, loosen, or roughen 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 -ˌfī(-ə)r noun
II. transitive verb
( -fied ; -fy·ing )
Date: 1785
: scare , frighten
• scar·i·fy·ing·ly -ˌfī-iŋ-lē adverb