scarify
verbEtymology From scare + -ify.
1
Uncommon To frighten; to scare, to terrify.
scarify
verbUK /ˈskæ.ɹɪˌfaɪ/
Etymology From French scarifier, from Late Latin scarificāre, from Latin scarifāre (“to scarify”), from Ancient Greek σκαριφᾶσθαι (skariphâsthai, “scratch”), from σκάριφος (skáriphos, “writing, drawing, sketching”). Unrelated to scar.
8 senses
- 1To remove thatch (build-up of organic matter on the…
- 2To make scratches or cuts on.
- 3To damage the testa (seed coat) of a seed by cutting…
- 4To break up, loosen, or roughen the surface of a field…
- 5To scratch, etch, burn, or cut designs into one's skin…
- 6To harrow the feelings.
- 7To scar.
- 8Denude, or lay waste to.
1
Agriculture, Business, Horticulture, Lifestyle To remove thatch (build-up of organic matter on the soil) from a lawn, to dethatch.
2
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.
3
Agriculture, Business, Horticulture, Lifestyle 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.
4
To break up, loosen, or roughen the surface of a field or road or a hard surface.
5
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 dope2008, Neil Cicierega, “Modify”, in View-Monster, performed by Lemon Demon:
6
Figuratively To harrow the feelings.
7
Nonstandard, Obsolete To scar.
8
Nonstandard, Obsolete Denude, or lay waste to.
- Derived terms
- scarifyingly