scratch test

noun

: a test for allergic susceptibility made by rubbing an extract of an allergen into small breaks or scratches in the skin

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Living cambium is what the scratch test looks for. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2022

The suitcase aced our drop tests for durability, but the polycarbonate did show some marks in our scratch test — but that's a small tradeoff for an overall great quality hardside suitcase at a great price. —Amanda Constantine, Good Housekeeping, 20 May 2022

Here’s a breakdown of our point systems: Durability had a maximum of 25 points: scratch test (10 points), handle temperature (5 points), appearance after cleaning (5 points) and maximum oven temperature (5 points). —Kate Bratskeir, CNN Underscored, 23 June 2020

These pointy metal tools that are calibrated to the Mohs scale of mineral hardness allow a user to determine the hardness of a surface by doing a scratch test. —Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 17 Feb. 2020

Make sure your tree has adequate water and then do the scratch test along the outer shoots to find green within the stems. —Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, 21 Apr. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

scratch test

noun

: a test that is used to determine if a person is allergic to a substance and is made by rubbing some of that substance into small scratches on the skin

Medical Definition

scratch test

noun

: a test for allergic susceptibility made by rubbing an extract of an allergy-producing substance into small breaks or scratches in the skin compare intradermal test, patch test, prick test