Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Scratch \Scratch\, n.
   1. 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 from such a field as this.   --Shak.

   2. (Pugilistic Matches) A line across the prize ring; up to
      which boxers are brought when they join fight; hence,
      test, trial, or proof of courage; as, to bring to the
      scratch; to come up to the scratch. [Cant] --Grose.

   3. pl. (Far.) Minute, but tender and troublesome,
      excoriations, covered with scabs, upon the heels of horses
      which have been used where it is very wet or muddy. --Law
      (Farmer's Veter. Adviser).

   4. A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.

   5. (Billiards) A shot which scores by chance and not as
      intended by the player; a fluke. [Cant, U. S.]

   {Scratch cradle}. See {Cratch cradle}, under {Cratch}.

   {Scratch grass} (Bot.), a climbing knotweed ({Polygonum
      sagittatum}) with a square stem beset with fine recurved
      prickles along the angles.

   {Scratch wig}. Same as {Scratch}, 4, above. --Thackeray.