from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Scratch \Scratch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scratched}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Scratching}.] [OE. cracchen (perhaps influenced by OE.
scratten to scratch); cf. OHG. chrazz[=o]n, G. kratzen, OD.
kratsen, kretsen, D. krassen, Sw. kratsa to scrape, kratta to
rake, to scratch, Dan. kradse to scratch, to scrape, Icel.
krota to engrave. Cf. {Grate} to rub.]
1. 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.
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Small sand-colored stones, so hard as to scratch
glass. --Grew.
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Be mindful, when invention fails,
To scratch your head, and bite your nails. --Swift.
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2. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. "Scratch out a
pamphlet." --Swift.
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3. 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.
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4. To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals
scratch holes, in which they burrow.
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{To scratch a ticket}, to cancel one or more names of
candidates on a party ballot; to refuse to vote the party
ticket in its entirety. [U. S.]
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