1. [n]  an indication of damage
2. [n]  poor handwriting
3. [n]  a harsh noise made by scraping; "the scrape of violin bows distracted her"
4. [n]  dry mash for poultry
5. [n]  a depression scratched or carved into a surface
6. [n]  an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off
7. [v]  cause friction; "my sweater scratches"
8. [v]  cut the surface of; wear away the surface of
9. [v]  scrape or rub as if to relieve itching; "Don't scratch your insect bites!"

1. \Scratch\, n.
   In various sports, the line from which the start is made,
   except in the case of contestants receiving a distance
   handicap.
   
   
   
   

2. \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.]
   
   

3. \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.]
   
   

4. \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.
   
   

5. \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.
   
   

1. (From "scratchpad") Describes a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary-use purposes; one that can be scribbled on without loss. Usually in the combining forms "scratch memory", "scratch register", "scratch disk", "scratch tape", "scratch volume".

See also scratch monkey.

2. (primarily ibm) To delete (as in a file).

[jargon file]