Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Scratch \Scratch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scratched}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Scratching}.] [OE. cracchen (perhaps influenced by OE.
   scratten to scratch); cf. OHG. chrazz[=o]n, G. kratzen, OD.
   kratsen, kretsen, D. krassen, Sw. kratsa to scrape, kratta to
   rake, to scratch, Dan. kradse to scratch, to scrape, Icel.
   krota to engrave. Cf. {Grate} to rub.]
   1. To rub and tear or mark the surface of with something
      sharp or ragged; to scrape, roughen, or wound slightly by
      drawing something pointed or rough across, as the claws,
      the nails, a pin, or the like.

            Small sand-colored stones, so hard as to scratch
            glass.                                --Grew.

            Be mindful, when invention fails, To scratch your
            head, and bite your nails.            --Swift.

   2. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. ``Scratch out a
      pamphlet.'' --Swift.

   3. To cancel by drawing one or more lines through, as the
      name of a candidate upon a ballot, or of a horse in a
      list; hence, to erase; to efface; -- often with out.

   4. To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals
      scratch holes, in which they burrow.

   {To scratch a ticket}, to cancel one or more names of
      candidates on a party ballot; to refuse to vote the party
      ticket in its entirety. [U. S.]