scarification

[ skar-uh-fi-key-shuhn ]
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noun
  1. The act or result of making scratches or superficial incisions in the skin to produce an immune response or administer certain injections: Scarification is a common method of sensitizing the skin for contact with an allergen.

  2. an act or instance of scratching, cutting, or burning a design or image into the skin, in order to create permanent decorative or symbolic scars; scarifying:Because it’s riskier than tattooing and piercing, not all body mod shops offer scarification.

  1. a design or image made by scars as the result of scratching, cutting, or burning it into the skin: A king was required to have the traditional facial scarification particular to his clan.

Origin of scarification

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English scarificacioun, from Old French scarificacion and Late Latin scarīficātiōn- (stem of scarīficātiō ); see scarify, -ation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

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