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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
SCRATCH, v.t. [L. rado.]
SCRATCH, v.i. To use the claws in tearing the surface. The gallinaceous hen scratches for her chickens.
SCRATCH, n.
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 write or draw hastily or
awkwardly.
"Scratch out a pamphlet." Swift. 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.] 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. To score, not by
skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.
[Cant,
U. S.] 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 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. 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). A kind of wig covering only a portion of
the head.
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. 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. In various sports, the
line from which the start is made, except in the case of contestants
receiving a distance handicap.
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