I. ˈich noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English icche, yicche, from Old English gicce, from giccan, v.
1.
a. : a localized or generalized uneasy sensation (as of a crawling, prickling, stinging) in the upper surface of the skin usually considered to result from mild stimulation of pain receptors and producing a feeling of irritation in the affected area and eliciting an urge to relieve the affected area by scratching : itching , pruritus
had an itch and scratched it
b. : a skin disorder (as a mange) accompanied by such a sensation ; especially : a contagious eruption in man and animals that is marked by this sensation experienced to an intense degree and by surface lesions and that is caused by invasion of the skin by an itch mite ( Sarcoptes scabiei ) that forms minute galleries in the skin and keeps up a constant irritation — usually used with the
has the itch
— compare mange
2.
a.
(1) : a restless usually constant often compulsive desire for or hankering after something : restless longing : uneasy craving
a compelling itch for money and success — Lee Rogow
the itch to travel
the same restless itch to be always doing something else — Bertrand Russell
was uninfected by the itch of publicity — V.L.Parrington
(2) : a restless craving for sensual especially sexual gratification : lust , prurience
the itch of the senses — Bruce Marshall
with meaty good looks and the gross itch they often portend — Time
had aroused in him only the vague adolescent itch of desire which almost any personable woman could satisfy — Aldous Huxley
b. : a restless usually constant inclination toward something : restless propensity : uneasy predisposition or overreadiness
the itch to justify all conduct on logical grounds — H.J.Muller
an itch for activity — Raymond Holden
3. : a condition of restless ferment : seething agitation : stew
the itch of aggressive nationalism — Karl Robson
was in an itch to be off — Bruce Marshall
lived in a constant itch of irritation — Hesketh Pearson
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English ichen, icchen, yicchen, from Old English giccan; akin to Old High German jucchen to itch, Middle Dutch joken
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to have a localized or generalized uneasy sensation (as of a crawling, prickling, stinging) in the upper surface of the skin : have an itch
seemed to itch all over
her arm itched
b. : to produce such a sensation
heavy winter underwear that itched
2.
a. : to have a restless usually constant often compulsive desire for or hankering after something : long restlessly for something : crave something uneasily
and itch to get their hands on a juicy morsel — D.L.Cohn
were itching to take immediate action — W.F.Hambly
itched to see the world
b. : to have a restless usually constant inclination toward something : have a restless propensity for or uneasy predisposition to something : be impatiently eager : be overready
killers who itched to kill again — Hal Burton
3. : to be in a restless ferment : seethe , stew
itch with one curiosity — Milton Bracker
itches with lechery — J.I.Cope
transitive verb
1. : to cause to have a localized or generalized uneasy sensation (as of a crawling, prickling, stinging) in the upper surface of the skin : cause to have an itch
felt it itch his leg — Joan Williams
wool socks that itched his feet
2. : irk , vex , irritate
had always been amused … where the others were itched — Sinclair Lewis
III.
variant of eche