Word Study
scarify
CIDE DICTIONARY
scarify, v. t. [F. scarifier, L. scarificare, scarifare, fr. Gr. to scratch up, fr. a pointed instrument.].
- 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. [1913 Webster] - To stir the surface soil of, as a field. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
scarify, v.tr. (-ies, -ied)
1 a make superficial incisions in. b cut off skin from.
2 hurt by severe criticism etc.
3 loosen (soil) with a scarifier.
1 a make superficial incisions in. b cut off skin from.
2 hurt by severe criticism etc.
3 loosen (soil) with a scarifier.
Derivative
scarification n.
scarify, v.tr. & intr. (-ies, -ied) colloq. scare; terrify.
THESAURUS
scarify
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, crucify, cut, dapple, dash, deface, define, deform, delimit, demarcate, discolor, disfigure, distort, dot, engrave, excoriate, excruciate, flaw, flay, fleck, freckle, fustigate, gash, harrow, hatch, impale, impress, imprint, incise, indent, jag, kill by inches, kink, knurl, lacerate, lancinate, lash, line, macerate, machicolate, maim, make a mark, mar, mark, mark off, mark out, martyr, martyrize, mill, mottle, nick, notch, pencil, pepper, picot, pink, point, prick, print, punch, punctuate, puncture, punish, rack, riddle, rip, roast, savage, scab, scallop, scar, scathe, scorch, score, scotch, scourge, scratch, seal, seam, serrate, skin alive, slash, speck, speckle, split, splotch, spot, stain, stamp, stigmatize, streak, striate, stripe, tattoo, tick, tick off, tooth, torment, torture, trace, trounce, twist, underline, underscore, warp, wringROGET THESAURUS
scarify
Painfulness
VB cause pain, occasion pain, give pain, bring pain, induce pain, produce pain, create pain, inflict pain, pain, hurt, wound, pinch, prick, gripe, pierce, lancinate, cut, hurt the feelings, wound the feelings, grate upon the feelings, grate upon the nerves, jar upon the feelings, wring the heart, pierce the heart, lacerate the heart, break the heart, rend the heart, make the heart bleed, tear the heart strings, rend the heart strings, draw tears from the eyes, sadden, make unhappy, plunge into sorrow, grieve, fash, afflict, distress, cut up, cut to the heart, displease, annoy, incommode, discompose, trouble, disquiet, faze, feaze, feeze, disturb, cross, perplex, molest, tease, tire, irk, vex, mortify, wherret, worry, plague, bother, pester, bore, pother, harass, harry, badger, heckle, bait, beset, infest, persecute, importune, wring, harrow, torment, torture, bullyrag, put to the rack, put to the question, break on the wheel, rack, scarify, cruciate, crucify, convulse, agonize, barb the dart, plant a dagger in the breast, plant a thorn in one's side, irritate, provoke, sting, nettle, try the patience, pique, fret, rile, tweak the nose, chafe, gall, sting to the quick, wound to the quick, cut to the quick, aggrieve, affront, enchafe, enrage, ruffle, sour the temper, give offense, maltreat, bite, snap at, assail, smite, sicken, disgust, revolt, nauseate, disenchant, repel, offend, shock, stink in the nostrils, go against the stomach, turn the stomach, make one sick, set the teeth on edge, go against the grain, grate on the ear, stick in one's throat, stick in one's gizzard, rankle, gnaw, corrode, horrify, appal, appall, freeze the blood, make the flesh creep, make the hair stand on end, make the blood curdle, make the blood run cold, make one shudder, haunt the memory, weigh on the heart, prey on the heart, weigh on the mind, prey on the mind, weigh on the spirits, prey on the spirits, bring one's gray hairs with sorrow to the grave, add a nail to one's coffin.Notch
VB notch, nick, cut, dent, indent, jag, scarify, scotch, crimp, scallop, scollop, crenulate, vandyke.For further exploring for "scarify" in Webster Dictionary Online