Itch

//ɪt͡ʃ// noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A sensation felt on an area of the skin that causes a person or animal to want to scratch said area.
  2. 2
    an irritating cutaneous sensation that produces a desire to scratch wordnet
  3. 3
    A constant teasing desire or want.

    "... it left, however, a bee at his ear and an itch to transfer the buzzer's attentions and tease his darling; for she had betrayed herself as right good game."

  4. 4
    a strong restless desire wordnet
  5. 5
    a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite; characterized by persistent itching and skin irritation wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To feel itchy; to feel a need to be scratched. intransitive, stative
  2. 2
    have a strong desire or urge to do something wordnet
  3. 3
    To have a constant, teasing urge; to feel strongly motivated; to want or desire something. intransitive

    "He started learning to drive and he has been itching for opportunities to practice ever since."

  4. 4
    scrape or rub as if to relieve itching wordnet
  5. 5
    To cause to feel an itch. transitive

    "My head is suddenly itching me like mad."

Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    have or perceive an itch wordnet
  2. 7
    To scratch or rub so as to relieve an itch. colloquial, transitive

    ""What makes you suspect him?" Max asked as he itched his neck."

  3. 8
    cause to perceive an itch wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English icche, ȝicche, from Old English ġiċċe (“an itch”), from Proto-Germanic *jukjǭ (“an itch”), of unknown origin. Cognate with Scots yeuk (“an itch, itchiness”), Dutch jeuk (“an itch”), German jucken.

Etymology 2

From Middle English icchen, ȝicchen, from Old English ġiċċan, ġyċċan (“to itch”), from Proto-West Germanic *jukkjan (“to itch”), of unknown origin. Cognate with Scots yeuk (“to itch”), West Frisian jûkje (“to itch”), Dutch jeuken (“to itch”), Low German jocken (“to itch”), German jucken (“to itch”).

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