scarify

scarify
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 scare or frighten’, has been in existence since the 18c but is regarded as colloquial or even non-standard:

• The use of macabre claymation models, which appear every now and again, to scarify sleepyheads —film website, BrE 2001 [OEC].


Modern English usage. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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 — [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 …   English World 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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