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With the action of scratching.

To relieve from some uneasy sensation, as by scratching; to tickle; hence, to flatter; to court. [Obs.] Rich men they claw, soothe up, and flatter; the poor they contemn and despise. Holland.

The act of erasing; a scratching out; obliteration.

Production of decorative designs by scratching them through a surface of layer plaster, glazing, etc., revealing a different- colored ground; also, pottery or ware so decorated; -- chiefly used attributively.

g explained, interpreted, or accounted for; as, an inexplicable mystery. "An inexplicable scratching." Cowper. Their reason is disturbed; their views become vast and perplexed, to others inexplicable, to themselves uncertain. Burke.

A mark or blemish made by bruising, scratching, or the like; a disfigurement.

her materials, as of steel, gold, etc. Also, originally, a stylus or other instrument for scratching or graving. Graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock. Job xix. 24.

A scratching out, or erasure. [Obs.]

A break in the surface of a thing made by scratching, or by rubbing with anything pointed or rough; a slight wound, mark, furrow, or incision. The coarse file . . . makes deep scratches in the work. Moxon. These nails with scratches deform my breast. Prior. God forbid a shallow scratch should drive The prince of Wales…

eport reproachfully; to taunt or insult one with. -- Tooth and nail, as if by biting and scratching; with one's utmost power; by all possible means. L'Estrange. "I shall fight tooth and nail for international copyright." Charles Reade. -- Tooth coralline (Zoöl.), any sertularian hydroid. -- Tooth edge, the sensation…