/ich/ , v.i.
1. to have or feel a peculiar tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin that causes a desire to scratch the part affected: My nose itches.
2. to cause such a feeling: This shirt itches.
3. Informal. to scratch a part that itches.
4. to have a desire to do or get something: to itch after fame.
v.t.
5. to cause to have an itch: His wool shirt always itches him.
6. Informal. to scratch (a part that itches): to itch a mosquito bite.
7. to annoy; vex; irritate: Her remarks itched me.
n.
8. the sensation of itching.
9. an uneasy or restless desire or longing: an itch for excitement.
10. a contagious disease caused by the itch mite, which burrows into the skin (usually prec. by the ). Cf. mange, scabies .
[ bef. 900; (v.) ME ( y ) icchen, OE gicc ( e ) an; akin to G jucken, D jeuken; (n.) ME ( y ) icche, OE gicce, deriv. of the v. ]