scratch

Pronunciation: /skɹæt͡ʃ/

The English word “scratch” has 20 meanings listed here.

verb

To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.
To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation; to cause itching.
To irritate someone's skin with one's unshaven beard when kissing.
To mark a surface with a sharp object, thereby leaving a scratch (noun).
To get such scratches.
To cross out, strike out, strike through some text on a page.
Hence, to remove, ignore, or delete.
To produce a distinctive sound on a turntable by moving a vinyl record back and forth while manipulating the crossfader (see also scratching).
To commit a foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table.
To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.
To write or draw hastily or awkwardly; scrawl.
To dig or excavate with the claws.
To dig or scrape (a person's skin) with claws or fingernails in self-defense or with the intention to injure.
To announce one's non-participation in a race or sports event part of a larger sports meeting that one was previously signed up for, usually in lieu of another event at the same meeting.

noun

A disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.
An act of scratching the skin to alleviate an itch or irritation.
A starting line (originally and simply, a line scratched in the ground), as in boxing.
A 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.
The last riders to depart in a handicap race.
A foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table.

Etymology

From Middle English scracchen, of uncertain origin. Potentially a blend of Middle English scratten (“to scratch”) and cracchen (“to scratch”). More at scrat and cratch. Compare Old English scrama, Old Norse skråma, German Schramme (“scratch”), which may be related.

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.