Definitions
1.nounA disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching."Her skin was covered with tiny scratches."
2.nounAn act of scratching the skin to alleviate an itch or irritation."The dog sat up and had a good scratch."
3.nounA starting line (originally and simply, a line scratched in the ground), as in boxing.
4.nounA technical error of touching or surpassing the starting mark prior to the official start signal in the sporting events of long jump, discus, hammer throw, shot put, and similar. Originally the starting mark was a scratch on the ground but is now a board or precisely indicated mark.
5.nounThe last riders to depart in a handicap race.
6.nounAn aberration.
7.nounA horse withdrawn from a race prior to the start."There were two scratches in race 8, which reduced the field from 9 horses to 7."
8.nounMoney.
9.nounA feed, usually a mixture of a few common grains, given to chickens.
10.noun(in the plural) 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.
11.nounA scratch wig.
12.nounA genre of Virgin Islander music, better known as fungi.
13.verbTo rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc."Could you please scratch my back?"
14.verbTo rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching."I don't like that new scarf because it scratches my neck."
15.verbTo mark a surface with a sharp object, thereby leaving a scratch (noun)."A real diamond can easily scratch a pane of glass."
16.verbTo cross out, strike out, strike through some text on a page.
17.verbTo produce a distinctive sound on a turntable by moving a vinyl record back and forth while manipulating the crossfader (see also scratching).
18.verbTo commit a foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table."Embarrassingly, he scratched on the break, popping the cue completely off the table."
19.verbTo score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.
20.verbTo write or draw hastily or awkwardly; scrawl.
21.verbTo dig or excavate with the claws."Some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow."
22.verbTo dig or scrape (a person's skin) with claws or fingernails in self-defense or with the intention to injure."The cat scratched the little girl."
23.adjectiveFor or consisting of preliminary or tentative, incomplete, etc. work."This is scratch paper, so go ahead and scribble whatever you want on it."
24.adjectiveHastily assembled, arranged or constructed, from whatever materials are to hand, with little or no preparation
25.adjective(from scratchpad) Relating to a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary use.
26.adjective(of a player) Of a standard high enough to play without a handicap, i.e. to compete without the benefit of a variation in scoring based on ability.