Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Scratch?

\Scratch\, n. In various sports, the line from which the start is made, except in the case of contestants receiving a distance handicap.
\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. Small sand-colored stones, so hard as to scratch glass. --Grew. Be mindful, when invention fails, To scratch your head, and bite your nails. --Swift. 2. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. ``Scratch out a pamphlet.'' --Swift. 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. 4. To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow. {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.]
\Scratch\, v. i. 1. To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to make scratches. Dull, tame things, . . . that will neither bite nor scratch. --Dr. H. More. 2. (Billiards) To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game. [Cant, U. S.]
\Scratch\, n. 1. 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. The coarse file . . . makes deep scratches in the work. --Moxon. These nails with scratches deform my breast. --Prior. God forbid a shallow scratch should drive The prince of Wales from such a field as this. --Shak. 2. (Pugilistic Matches) 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. [Cant] --Grose. 3. pl. (Far.) 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. --Law (Farmer's Veter. Adviser). 4. A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head. 5. (Billiards) A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke. [Cant, U. S.] {Scratch cradle}. See {Cratch cradle}, under {Cratch}. {Scratch grass} (Bot.), a climbing knotweed ({Polygonum sagittatum}) with a square stem beset with fine recurved prickles along the angles. {Scratch wig}. Same as {Scratch}, 4, above. --Thackeray.
\Scratch\, 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. [Slang] {Scratch race}, one without restrictions regarding the entrance of competitors; also, one for which the competitors are chosen by lot.