əˌfaɪ verb (used with object), scar·i·fied, scar·i·fy·ing.
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.
to hasten the sprouting of (hard-covered seeds) by making incisions in the seed coats.
5.
to break up (a road surface).
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English scarifie < Middle French scarifier < Late Latin scarīficāre, alteration of Latin scarīfāre, scarīphāre to make scratches < Greek skarīphâsthai to sketch, derivative of skárīphos stylus; see -ify
1400–50; late Middle English scarifie < Middle French scarifier < Late Latin scarīficāre, alteration of Latin scarīfāre, scarīphāre to make scratches < Greek skarīphâsthai to sketch, derivative of skárīphos stylus; see -ify
Related forms
scar·i·fi·er, noun
un·scar·i·fied, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To scarify
00:10
Scarify
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
scarify1 (ˈskɛərɪˌfaɪ, ˈskærɪ-) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb , -fies, -fying, -fied | |
| 1. | surgery to make tiny punctures or superficial incisions in (the skin or other tissue), as for inoculating |
| 2. | agriculture |
| a. to break up and loosen (soil) to a shallow depth | |
| b. to scratch or abrade the outer surface of (seeds) to increase water absorption or hasten germination | |
| 3. | to wound with harsh criticism |
| [C15: via Old French from Latin scarīfāre to scratch open, from Greek skariphasthai to draw, from skariphos a pencil] | |
| scarifi'cation1 | |
| —n | |
| 'scarifier1 | |
| —n | |
| scarify2 (ˈskɛərɪˌfaɪ) | |
| —vb , -fies, -fying, -fied | |
| informal (tr) to make scared; frighten | |
| [C18: from | |
| usage Scarify is sometimes wrongly thought to mean the same as scare: a frightening (not scarifying) film | |
| 'scarifyingly2 | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
scarify scar·i·fy (skār'ə-fī')
v. scar·i·fied, scar·i·fy·ing, scar·i·fies
To make shallow cuts in the skin, as when vaccinating.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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