英文字典中文字典51ZiDian.com

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Scratch \Scratch\, v. i.
1. To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to
make scratches.
[1913 Webster]

Dull, tame things, . . . that will neither bite nor
scratch. --Dr. H. More.
[1913 Webster]

2. (Billiards) To score, not by skillful play but by some
fortunate chance of the game. [Cant, U. S.]
[1913 Webster]


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.
[1913 Webster]

Small sand-colored stones, so hard as to scratch
glass. --Grew.
[1913 Webster]

Be mindful, when invention fails,
To scratch your head, and bite your nails. --Swift.
[1913 Webster]

2. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. "Scratch out a
pamphlet." --Swift.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

4. To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals
scratch holes, in which they burrow.
[1913 Webster]

{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.]
[1913 Webster]


Scratch \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.
[1913 Webster]

The coarse file . . . makes deep scratches in the
work. --Moxon.
[1913 Webster]

These nails with scratches deform my breast.
--Prior.
[1913 Webster]

God forbid a shallow scratch should drive
The prince of Wales from such a field as this.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

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).
[1913 Webster]

4. A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.
[1913 Webster]

5. (Billiards)
(a) A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by
the player; a fluke. [Cant, U. S.]
(b) a shot which results in a penalty, such as dropping
the cue ball in a pocket without hitting another ball.
[1913 Webster PJC]

6. In various sports, the line from which the start is made,
except in the case of contestants receiving a distance
handicap.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

{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.

{start from scratch} to start (again) from the very
beginning; also, to start without resources.
[1913 Webster]


Scratch \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]
[1913 Webster]

{Scratch race}, one without restrictions regarding the
entrance of competitors; also, one for which the
competitors are chosen by lot.
[1913 Webster]