Lexic.us

Definition of Scarify

1. Verb. Puncture and scar (the skin), as for purposes or tribal identification or rituals. "The men in some African tribes scarify their faces"

2. Verb. Scratch the surface of. "Scarify seeds"

3. Verb. Break up. "Scarify soil"

Definition of Scarify

1. v. t. To scratch or cut the skin of; esp. (Med.), to make small incisions in, by means of a lancet or scarificator, so as to draw blood from the smaller vessels without opening a large vein.

Definition of Scarify

1. Verb. (obsolete or nonstandard) To scar. ¹

2. Verb. (obsolete or nonstandard) Denude, or lay waste to. ¹

3. Verb. (horticulture) To remove thatch (build-up of organic matter on the soil) from a lawn, to de-thatch. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Scarify

1. to make superficial cuts in [v -FIED, -FYING, -FIES]

Medical Definition of Scarify

1. To abrade, scratch, or modify the surface. To scratch the impervious seed coat of a hard seed. To break the surface of the soil. (09 Oct 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Scarify

scarfs scarfskin scarfskins scarfwise scarier scariest scarification scarification test scarifications scarificator

scarificators scarified scarifier scarifiers scarifies scarify (current term) scarifying scarifyingly scarily scariness

scarinesses scaring scaringly scariose scarious scarlatina scarlatina haemorrhagica scarlatina latens scarlatina maligna scarlatina rheumatica

Literary usage of Scarify

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language by Walter William Skeat (1882)
"... to scarify. — Gk. . Shatter; see Scatter. shaft. ... lit. to sheer off; see sheer (2) below. scarify. ... to scarify, scratch open; I scratch. ..."

2. An Etymological Dictionary of the English Language by Walter William Skeat (1893)
"... to scarify, scratch open ; longer form of scari/are, which also occurs (White). P. Probably not merely cognate with, but absolutely borrowed from Gk. ..."

3. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage by Inc. Merriam-Webster (1994)
"1971 The newer scarify, with a meaning somewhere between “scare” and “terrify,” was first recorded almost 200 years ago: - I have little doubt but the ..."

4. An Eclectic Compendium of the Practice of Medicine by Lyman Watkins (1895)
"About the only thing to do is to scarify the swelling, puncturing with the scalpel until the fluid contents escape from the tissues. Relief is immediate. ..."

5. A General Pronouncing and Explanatory Dictionary of the English Language: To by George Fulton, G. Knight (1826)
"... scar-ë-fë-câ'shun, n. incision of the skin with a lancet or sharp instrument scarify, scnr'ë-fï, ..."

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