Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Score?

\Score\, v. i. 1. To keep the score in a game; to act as scorer. 2. To make or count a point or points, as in a game; to tally. 3. To run up a score, or account of dues.
\Score\ (sk[=o]r), n. [AS. scor twenty, fr. sceran, scieran, to shear, cut, divide; or rather the kindred Icel. skor incision, twenty, akin to Dan. skure a notch, Sw. sk[*a]ra. See {Shear}.] 1. A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose of account. Whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used. --Shak. 2. An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; hence, indebtedness. He parted well, and paid his score. --Shak. 3. Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf. But left the trade, as many more Have lately done on the same score. --Hudibras. You act your kindness in Cydaria's score. --Dryden. 4. The number twenty, as being marked off by a special score or tally; hence, in pl., a large number. Amongst three or four score hogsheads. --Shak. At length the queen took upon herself to grant patents of monopoly by scores. --Macaulay. 5. A distance of twenty yards; -- a term used in ancient archery and gunnery. --Halliwell. 6. A weight of twenty pounds. [Prov. Eng.] 7. The number of points gained by the contestants, or either of them, in any game, as in cards or cricket. 8. A line drawn; a groove or furrow. 9. (Mus.) The original and entire draught, or its transcript, of a composition, with the parts for all the different instruments or voices written on staves one above another, so that they can be read at a glance; -- so called from the bar, which, in its early use, was drawn through all the parts. --Moore (Encyc. of Music). {In score} (Mus.), having all the parts arranged and placed in juxtaposition. --Smart. {To quit scores}, to settle or balance accounts; to render an equivalent; to make compensation. Does not the earth quit scores with all the elements in the noble fruits that issue from it? --South.
\Score\ (sk[=o]r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scored} (sk[=o]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Scoring}.] 1. To mark with lines, scratches, or notches; to cut notches or furrows in; to notch; to scratch; to furrow; as, to score timber for hewing; to score the back with a lash. Let us score their backs. --Shak. A briar in that tangled wilderness Had scored her white right hand. --M. Arnold. 2. Especially, to mark with significant lines or notches, for indicating or keeping account of something; as, to score a tally. 3. To mark or signify by lines or notches; to keep record or account of; to set down; to record; to charge. Madam, I know when, Instead of five, you scored me ten. --Swift. Nor need I tallies thy dear love to score. --Shak. 4. To engrave, as upon a shield. [R.] --Spenser. 5. To make a score of, as points, runs, etc., in a game. 6. (Mus.) To write down in proper order and arrangement; as, to score an overture for an orchestra. See {Score}, n., 9. 7. (Geol.) To mark with parallel lines or scratches; as, the rocks of New England and the Western States were scored in the drift epoch.