Definition of scratch

• v. t. - 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.
• v. t. - To write or draw hastily or awkwardly.
• v. t. - 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.
• v. t. - To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow.
• v. i. - To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to make scratches.
• v. i. - To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.
• n. - 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.
• n. - 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.
• n. - 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.
• n. - A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.
• n. - A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke.
• 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.