Scratch v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scratched p. pr. & vb. n. Scratching.]
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.”
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.]
scratched
adj : having surface damage [syn: scraped]