scarify

[ skar-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, scar·i·fied, scar·i·fy·ing.

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

/ ˈskɛərɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. informal.
   tr to make scared; frighten

scarify

²

/ ˈskɛərɪˌfaɪ; ˈskærɪ- /

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

Usage

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

Derived Forms

• ˈscariˌfyingly, adverb
• ˌscarifiˈcation, noun
• ˈscariˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• scar·i·fi·er noun
• un·scar·i·fied 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

C18: from scare + -ify

Origin of scarify²

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

Example Sentences

Dickens is going to put an article on the subject in Household Words, in order to scarify the rascally bookseller.

From Project Gutenberg

To relieve their wearied legs and feet after long marches, they scarify the former with sharp flints.

From Project Gutenberg

When fatigued by travel they scarify their legs with a sharpened reed or snakes' teeth.

From Project Gutenberg

His political jingles were the delight or vexation of partisans as they happened to ridicule or scarify this side or that.

From Project Gutenberg

Incapable of checking a witty saying, he would scarify his two neighbors before a dinner was half over.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• slap down