Scratch \Scratch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scratched; p. pr. & vb. n. Scratching.]

[OE. cracchen (perhaps influenced by OE. scratten to scratch); cf. OHG. chrazz[=o]n, G. kratzen, OD. kratsen, kretsen, D. krassen, Sw. kratsa to scrape, kratta to rake, to scratch, Dan. kradse to scratch, to scrape, Icel. krota to engrave. Cf. Grate to rub.]

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.'' --Swift.

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.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)