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Scarify

//ˈskæ.ɹɪˌfaɪ// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To remove thatch (build-up of organic matter on the soil) from a lawn, to dethatch.
  2. 2
    To frighten; to scare, to terrify. uncommon
  3. 3
    puncture and scar (the skin), as for purposes or tribal identification or rituals wordnet
  4. 4
    To make scratches or cuts on.

    "A combing tool is used to scarify, cross-scratch, or score the surface of a scratch coat or undercoat of plaster."

  5. 5
    break up wordnet
Show 7 more definitions
  1. 6
    To make scratches or cuts on.; To damage the testa (seed coat) of a seed by cutting, scraping, chemicals, hot water, or fire to allow permeation of water and faster germination.
  2. 7
    scratch the surface of wordnet
  3. 8
    To make scratches or cuts on.; To break up, loosen, or roughen the surface of a field or road or a hard surface.
  4. 9
    To make scratches or cuts on.; To scratch, etch, burn, or cut designs into one's skin as a form of body modification.

    "Stan tried to scarify his neck with a rope His plan kinda failed, but it would've been dope"

  5. 10
    To harrow the feelings. figuratively
  6. 11
    To scar. nonstandard, obsolete
  7. 12
    Denude, or lay waste to. nonstandard, obsolete

Etymology

Etymology 1

From French scarifier, from Late Latin scarificāre, from Latin scarifāre (“to scarify”), from Ancient Greek σκαριφᾶσθαι (skariphâsthai, “scratch”), from σκάριφος (skáriphos, “writing, drawing, sketching”).

Etymology 2

scare + -ify

See also for "scarify"

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