SCRATCHING • DICCIONARIO INGLES.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

... Mr. Potts produced some peculiarly objectionable and shapeless woollen articles which he almost threw at me, saying that they were all he had in stock. Now I detest woollen socks and never wear them. Still, I made a purchase, thinking with sympathy of my old gardener whose feet they would soon be scratching, and while the parcel was being tied up, said in an insinuating voice, ...

— The Virgin of the Sun • H. R. Haggard

... yell as Boduoc thrust his spear up through the hole when he saw a pair of eyes, shining in the firelight, appear at the edge. At the same moment there was a sound of scraping and scratching at some of the other holes. The roof was constructed of rough poles laid at short distances apart, and above these were small branches, on which was a sort of thatch of reeds and rushes. Standing close under ...

— Beric the Briton - A Story of the Roman Invasion • G. A. Henty

... plumage; these birds are very cautious and shy, and run rapidly through the underwood, rarely flying unless when closely pursued. The shell of the egg is thin and fragile, and the young are hatched entirely by the heat of the sun, scratching their way out as soon as they are born, at which time they are able to shift for themselves. [Note 25: For a further account of the LEIPOA, vide CHAPTER III. of Notes on ...

— Journals Of Expeditions Of Discovery Into Central • Edward John Eyre

... speech the Cook looked up and down, scratching his head in doubt, for he loved good feasting. At last he drew a long breath and said to Little John, "Well, good friend, I like thy plan right well; so, pretty boy, say I, let us feast, with all my heart, for one of us may sup ...

— The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood • Howard Pyle

... what I can do for you," said Heye, at parting, alternately snapping his suspenders and scratching his head. Though he was in his stocking-feet and coat-less, though the back of his neck was a scraggle of hair, Parker Heye was preferable to the three Swiss waiters snoring in the hot room under the eaves, with its door half open, ...

— The Trail of the Hawk - A Comedy of the Seriousness of Life • Sinclair Lewis

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