scarify

[skar-uh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

scarified, scarifying 

1. to make scratches or superficial incisions in (the skin), to produce an immune response or administer certain injections.

   The smallpox vaccine, which was administered by scarifying the skin, left a telltale scar on the upper arm.

   During the therapeutic procedure of wet cupping, the practitioner scarifies the skin after suction.

2. to scratch, etch, cut, or burn designs or images into the skin in order to create permanent decorative or symbolic scars.

3. to lacerate by severe criticism.

4. to loosen (the soil) with a type of cultivator.

5. to hasten the sprouting of (hard-covered seeds) by making incisions in the seed coats.

6. to break up (a road surface).

scarify

¹

/ ˈskærɪ-, ˈskɛərɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. surgery to make tiny punctures or superficial incisions in (the skin or other tissue), as for inoculating

2. agriculture

   1. to break up and loosen (soil) to a shallow depth

   2. to scratch or abrade the outer surface of (seeds) to increase water absorption or hasten germination

3. to wound with harsh criticism

scarify

²

/ ˈskɛərɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. informal,  (tr) to make scared; frighten

Usage

Scarify is sometimes wrongly thought to mean the same as scare: a frightening (not scarifying ) film

Other Word Forms

• scarification noun
• scarifier noun
• scarifyingly adverb
• unscarified adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scarify¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English scarifien, from Middle French scarifier, scarefier, from Late Latin scarīficāre, alteration of Latin scarīfāre, scarīphāre “to make scratches, scrach,” from Greek skarīphâsthai “to sketch,” derivative of skárīphos “stylus”; -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of scarify¹

C15: via Old French from Latin scarīfāre to scratch open, from Greek skariphasthai to draw, from skariphos a pencil

Origin of scarify²

C18: from _scare + _-ify

Example Sentences

The loving bond between the scarified Antea and the tattooed Red is evident — in a tender touch or a cradled face — even as Antea is trapped in the ghost world.

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The seed packets instruct you to scarify the seeds and presoak them before planting.

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They also scarified their future by giving away two 1st round picks, two 2nd round picks and 3 players.

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Today, the shore at Port Gamble where the mill used to be is a scarified landscape awaiting its next chapter.

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And some seeds need special techniques for successful germination, including fermenting or scarifying.

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Related Words

• slap down