scratches

American  

[skrach-iz] / ˈskrætʃ ɪz /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. a disease of horses marked by dry rifts or chaps that appear on the skin near the fetlock, behind the knee, or in front of the hock.

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scratches British  

/ ˈskrætʃɪz /

noun

1. Also called: cracked heels.   mud fever.  (functioning as singular) a disease of horses characterized by dermatitis in the region of the fetlock

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Etymology

Origin of scratches

First recorded in 1605–15; see origin at scratch, -s ³

Example Sentences

“In the pre-greening days, you could spot a grove car by all the scratches on both sides,” he told me.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

“Our 737 program is performing rework on a group of airplanes to fix wires that have small scratches due to a machining error,” a Boeing spokesperson said.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

But Flock’s AI-powered cameras go even further by also documenting other identifying vehicle details, such as make, model and color, as well as any distinctive markings like scratches or dents on a bumper.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

And that barely scratches the surface of how bad things are going to get as our planet cooks and our ecosystem collapses.

From Salon • Dec. 31, 2025

His head pounded, the scratches on his arms and legs stung, and every muscle in his body ached from the strain of lifting Abby over the fallen trees.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret