scarification

American  

[skar-uh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌskær ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. The act or result of making scratches or superficial incisions in the skin to produce an immune response or administer certain injections.

   Scarification is a common method of sensitizing the skin for contact with an allergen.

2. an act or instance of scratching, cutting, or burning a design or image into the skin, in order to create permanent decorative or symbolic scars; scarifying.

   Because it’s riskier than tattooing and piercing, not all body mod shops offer scarification.

3. a design or image made by scars as the result of scratching, cutting, or burning it into the skin.

   A king was required to have the traditional facial scarification particular to his clan.

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Etymology

Origin of scarification

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English scarificacioun, from Old French scarificacion and Late Latin scarīficātiōn- (stem of scarīficātiō ); scarify, -ation

Example Sentences

The tin’s raised pattern, weathered and abraded, yields the look of ancient African body scarification practiced as ritual ornamentation — here given an urban, Western edge.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2021

It is based on a 2020 sculpture, “I Am Speaking, Can You Hear Me?,” comprising two busts adorned all over with stylized scarification marks.

From Washington Post • Jul. 7, 2021

They were dressed in Ethiopian uniforms, she said, but spoke with an Eritrean accent and had traditional facial scarification typical of the neighbouring country.

From Reuters • Apr. 15, 2021

Yet in Parambei, where the Catholic church is present, scarification remains almost universal among the men.

From BBC • Aug. 25, 2018

I concluded that the scars were due to the practice of scarification.

From The Manóbos of Mindanáo Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume XXIII, First Memoir by Garvan, John M.

Related Words

• laceration
• wound