scratch

1. v. t. To rub and tear or mark the surface of with something sharp or ragged; to scrape, roughen, or wound slightly by drawing something pointed or rough across, as the claws, the nails, a pin, or the like. Source: opted

2. v. t. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. Source: opted

3. v. t. To cancel by drawing one or more lines through, as the name of a candidate upon a ballot, or of a horse in a list; hence, to erase; to efface; -- often with out. Source: opted

4. v. t. To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow. Source: opted

5. v. i. To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to make scratches. Source: opted

6. v. i. To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game. Source: opted

7. n. A break in the surface of a thing made by scratching, or by rubbing with anything pointed or rough; a slight wound, mark, furrow, or incision. Source: opted

8. n. A line across the prize ring; up to which boxers are brought when they join fight; hence, test, trial, or proof of courage; as, to bring to the scratch; to come up to the scratch. Source: opted

9. n. Minute, but tender and troublesome, excoriations, covered with scabs, upon the heels of horses which have been used where it is very wet or muddy. Source: opted

10. n. A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head. Source: opted

11. n. A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke. Source: opted

12. a. Made, done, or happening by chance; arranged with little or no preparation; determined by circumstances; haphazard; as, a scratch team; a scratch crew for a boat race; a scratch shot in billiards. Source: opted

Thesaurus links