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scarify
[ skar-uh-fahy ]
verb (used with object)
- to make scratches or superficial incisions in (the skin), to produce an immune response or administer certain injections:
The smallpox vaccine, which was administered by scarifying the skin, left a telltale scar on the upper arm.
During the therapeutic procedure of wet cupping, the practitioner scarifies the skin after suction.
- to scratch, etch, cut, or burn designs or images into the skin in order to create permanent decorative or symbolic scars.
- to lacerate by severe criticism.
- to loosen (the soil) with a type of cultivator.
- to hasten the sprouting of (hard-covered seeds) by making incisions in the seed coats.
- to break up (a road surface).
scarify
1/ ˈskɛərɪˌfaɪ /
verb
- informal.tr to make scared; frighten
scarify
2/ ˈskærɪ-; ˈskɛərɪˌfaɪ /
verb
- surgery to make tiny punctures or superficial incisions in (the skin or other tissue), as for inoculating
- agriculture
- to break up and loosen (soil) to a shallow depth
- to scratch or abrade the outer surface of (seeds) to increase water absorption or hasten germination
- to wound with harsh criticism
Usage
Derived Forms
- ˈscariˌfyingly, adverb
- ˌscarifiˈcation, noun
- ˈscariˌfier, noun
Other Words From
- scar·i·fi·er noun
- un·scar·i·fied adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of scarify1
Origin of scarify2
Example Sentences
Dickens is going to put an article on the subject in Household Words, in order to scarify the rascally bookseller.
To relieve their wearied legs and feet after long marches, they scarify the former with sharp flints.
When fatigued by travel they scarify their legs with a sharpened reed or snakes' teeth.
His political jingles were the delight or vexation of partisans as they happened to ridicule or scarify this side or that.
Incapable of checking a witty saying, he would scarify his two neighbors before a dinner was half over.
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