scarify
English
Etymology
French scarifier, from Late Latin scarificāre, from Latin scarifāre (“to scarify”), from Ancient Greek σκαριφᾶσθαι (skariphâsthai, “scratch”), from σκάριφος (skáriphos, “writing, drawing, sketching”)
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈskæ.ɹɪˌfaɪ/, /ˈskɑː.ɹɪˌfaɪ/
Verb
scarify (third-person singular simple present scarifies, present participle scarifying, simple past and past participle scarified)
- (horticulture) To remove thatch (build-up of organic matter on the soil) from a lawn, to dethatch.
- 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.
- (horticulture) 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.
- To break up, loosen, or roughen the surface of a field or road or a hard surface.
- To scratch, etch, burn, or cut designs into one's skin as a form of body modification.
- 2008, Neil Cicierega (lyrics and music), “Modify”, in View-Monster, performed by Lemon Demon:
- Stan tried to scarify his neck with a rope
His plan kinda failed, but it would've been dope
-
- To harrow the feelings.
- (obsolete or nonstandard) To scar.
- (obsolete or nonstandard) Denude, or lay waste to.
Translations
to remove thatch
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to break up, loosen or roughen a surface
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Anagrams
- sacrify