Definition of scarify
scarified
;scarifying
transitive verb
1 : to make scratches or small cuts in (something, such as the skin) scarify an area for vaccination
2 : to lacerate the feelings of
3 : to break up, loosen, or roughen the surface of (something, such as a field or road)
4 : to cut or soften the wall of (a hard seed) to hasten germination
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Origin and Etymology of scarify
Middle English scarifien, from Middle French scarefier, from Late Latin scarificare, alteration of Latin scarifare, from Greek skariphasthai to scratch an outline, sketch — more at scribe
First Known Use: 14th century
1785
First Known Use of scarify
1785
Medical Dictionary
scarify
playMedical Definition of scarify
scarified
;scarifying
: to make scratches or small cuts in (as the skin) scarify an area for vaccination
Learn More about scarify
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See words that rhyme with scarify Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scarify Nglish: Translation of scarify for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scarify for Arabic speakers
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