- OE. cracchenperhaps influenced by OE. scratten to scratch); cf. OHG. chrazzōn, G. kratzen, OD. kratsenkretsen, 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
- 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.Scratchout 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.
