scarify

scarify
scarify [skar′ə fī΄]
vt.
scarified, scarifying [MFr scarifier < LL scarificare, altered < L scarifare < Gr skariphasthai, to scratch an outline, sketch < skariphos, pencil, stylus, akin to L scribere, to write: see SCRIBE]
1. to make a series of small, superficial incisions or punctures in (the skin), as in surgery
2. to criticize sharply; make cutting remarks to or about
3. Agric.
a) to loosen or stir (the topsoil)
b) to make incisions in the coats of (seeds) in order to hasten germination
scarifier
n.

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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  • scarify — pronounced with the first syllable as in scab, is a semi technical word meaning ‘to scratch or make incisions in’, and has nothing to do with the verb scare. A verb scarify, pronounced like scare and formed on the analogy of terrify, meaning ‘to… …   Modern English usage

  • scarify — Ⅰ. scarify [1] ► VERB (scarifies, scarified) 1) cut and remove debris from (a lawn) with a scarifier. 2) break up the surface of (soil or a road or pavement). 3) make shallow incisions in (the skin). 4) criticize severely and hurtfully …   English terms dictionary

  • Scarify — Scar i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scarified}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Scarifying}.] [F. scarifier, L. scarificare, scarifare, fr. Gr. ? to scratch up, fr. ? a pointed instrument.] 1. To scratch or cut the skin of; esp. (Med.), to make small incisions in,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • scarify — index lash (attack verbally) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • scarify — (v.) 1540s, cover witch scratches, from Fr. scarifier (14c.), from L.L. scarificare (see SCARIFICATION (Cf. scarification)). The sense cover with scars (1680s) is a sense shift from influence of SCAR (Cf. scar) …   Etymology dictionary

  • scarify — I. transitive verb ( fied; fying) Etymology: Middle English scarifien, from Middle French scarefier, from Late Latin scarificare, alteration of Latin scarifare, from Greek skariphasthai to scratch an outline, sketch more at scribe Date: 14th… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • scarify — To produce scarification. * * * scar·i·fy skar ə .fī, sker vt, fied; fy·ing to make scratches or small cuts in (as the skin) <scarify an area for vaccination> …   Medical dictionary

  • scarify — scarifier, n. /skar euh fuy /, v.t., scarified, scarifying. 1. to make scratches or superficial incisions in (the skin, a wound, etc.), as in vaccination. 2. to lacerate by severe criticism. 3. to loosen (the soil) with a type of cultivator. 4.… …   Universalium

  • scarify — verb /ˈskæˌɹɪ.faɪ/ To remove thatch (build up of organic matter on the soil) from a lawn, to de thatch …   Wiktionary

  • scarify — Synonyms and related words: Vandyke, agonize, assail, attack, blaze, blaze a trail, blemish, blister, bloody, blotch, brand, castigate, chalk, chalk up, check, check off, chop, cicatrize, claw, convulse, crack, craze, crenellate, crenulate, crimp …   Moby Thesaurus

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