SCARIFY

scarify

(verb) puncture and scar (the skin), as for purposes or tribal identification or rituals; “The men in some African tribes scarify their faces”

scarify

(verb) break up; “scarify soil”

scarify

(verb) scratch the surface of; “scarify seeds”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

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

(horticulture) To remove thatch (build-up of organic matter on the soil) from a lawn, to dethatch.

To make scratches or cuts on.

(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.

To break up, loosen, or roughen the surface of a field or road or a hard surface.

To harrow the feelings.

(obsolete or nonstandard) To scar.

(obsolete or nonstandard) Denude, or lay waste to.

Anagrams

• sacrify

Source: Wiktionary

Scar"i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scarified; p. pr. & vb. n. Scarifying.] Etym: [F. scarifier, L. scarificare, scarifare, fr. Gr.

1. 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.

2. (Agric.)

Definition: To stir the surface soil of, as a field.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition