SCRATCHING • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Scratching

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/skrˈætʃɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Scratch v. t. (past & past part. scratched; pres. part. scratching)

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." "Be mindful, when invention fails, To scratch your head, and bite your nails."

To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. "Scratch out a pamphlet."

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.

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.

To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to make scratches. "Dull, tame things,... that will neither bite nor scratch."

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

adverb

Scratching adv. With the action of scratching.

See images of 'Scratching'

Etymology of 'Scratching'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Scratching" Quotes from Famous Books

... evening now closed in upon her, and we were in complete darkness. The threshing limb of the maupei tree that was within a yard or two of the spot where Kaipi and I stood waiting disappeared in the night, and the scratching of Holman's shoes high above our heads came down to us through the intense silence and proved that he was holding ...

— The White Waterfall • James Francis Dwyer

... the dogs, their toe-nails scratching the hard ice. Occasionally they yelped or barked, probably in protest at being made to haul such heavy loads. But Holfax kept ...

— The Young Treasure Hunter - or, Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska • Frank V. Webster

... of Henning, the cock, the best of the hen tribe. Many an egg did she lay in her nest, and was skillful in scratching. Here she lies, lost, alas! to her friends, by Reineke murdered. All the world should know of his false and cruel behavior, As for the dead they lament.' Thus ran the words ...

— Legends of the Middle Ages - Narrated with Special Reference to Literature and Art • H.A. Guerber

... gold coin, which she held in her hand, upon the ground. It was instantly snatched up by one of the gang, who was immediately attacked by the others, and a fierce struggle ensued, for the possession of the coin, the young wretches tearing, scratching and biting each other like so many wild cats. During this conflict, Fanny made off as fast as she could run, but was followed and overtaken by one of the gang, a large girl of fifteen, who was known among her companions by the pleasing title of "Sow Nance." She was ...

— Venus in Boston; - A Romance of City Life • George Thompson

... young lady sitting in the hall. We have only got to pretend we are going to see my relative, and you will be able to get a glimpse of her." Ma consented, and they accordingly passed through the hall, where he saw the young lady sitting down with her head bent forward while some one was scratching her back. She seemed to be all that the go-between had said; but when they came to discuss the money it appeared that the young lady wanted only one or two ounces of silver, just to buy herself a few clothes, etc., which ...

— Myths and Legends of China • E. T. C. Werner

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