Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Score \Score\ (sk[=o]r), n. [AS. scor twenty, fr. sceran,
   scieran, to shear, cut, divide; or rather the kindred Icel.
   skor incision, twenty, akin to Dan. skure a notch, Sw.
   sk[*a]ra. See {Shear}.]
   1. A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a
      tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose
      of account.

            Whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books
            but the score and the tally, thou hast caused
            printing to be used.                  --Shak.

   2. An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; hence,
      indebtedness.

            He parted well, and paid his score.   --Shak.

   3. Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf.

            But left the trade, as many more Have lately done on
            the same score.                       --Hudibras.

            You act your kindness in Cydaria's score. --Dryden.

   4. The number twenty, as being marked off by a special score
      or tally; hence, in pl., a large number.

            Amongst three or four score hogsheads. --Shak.

            At length the queen took upon herself to grant
            patents of monopoly by scores.        --Macaulay.

   5. A distance of twenty yards; -- a term used in ancient
      archery and gunnery. --Halliwell.

   6. A weight of twenty pounds. [Prov. Eng.]

   7. The number of points gained by the contestants, or either
      of them, in any game, as in cards or cricket.

   8. A line drawn; a groove or furrow.

   9. (Mus.) The original and entire draught, or its transcript,
      of a composition, with the parts for all the different
      instruments or voices written on staves one above another,
      so that they can be read at a glance; -- so called from
      the bar, which, in its early use, was drawn through all
      the parts. --Moore (Encyc. of Music).

   {In score} (Mus.), having all the parts arranged and placed
      in juxtaposition. --Smart.

   {To quit scores}, to settle or balance accounts; to render an
      equivalent; to make compensation.

            Does not the earth quit scores with all the elements
            in the noble fruits that issue from it? --South.