scarify

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈskæ.ɹɪˌfaɪ/, /ˈskɑː.ɹɪˌfaɪ/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

From French scarifier, from Late Latin scarificāre, from Latin scarifāre (“to scarify”), from Ancient Greek σκαριφᾶσθαι (skariphâsthai, “scratch”), from σκάριφος (skáriphos, “writing, drawing, sketching”).

scarify (third-person singular simple present scarifies, present participle scarifying, simple past and past participle scarified)

1. (horticulture) To remove thatch (build-up of organic matter on the soil) from a lawn, to dethatch.
2. To make scratches or cuts on.

   A combing tool is used to scarify, cross-scratch, or score the surface of a scratch coat or undercoat of plaster.

   1. (horticulture) To damage the testa (seed coat) of a seed by cutting, scraping, chemicals, hot water, or fire to allow permeation of water and faster germination.
   2. To break up, loosen, or roughen the surface of a field or road or a hard surface.
   3. To scratch, etch, burn, or cut designs into one's skin as a form of body modification.
      • 2008, Neil Cicierega (lyrics and music), “Modify”, in View-Monster, performed by Lemon Demon:

        Stan tried to scarify his neck with a rope
        His plan kinda failed, but it would've been dope

3. To harrow the feelings.
4. (obsolete or nonstandard) To scar.
5. (obsolete or nonstandard) Denude, or lay waste to.

scare +‎ -ify

scarify (third-person singular simple present scarifies, present participle scarifying, simple past and past participle scarified)

1. (uncommon) To frighten; to scare, to terrify.

• sacrify