scratch

A disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.

An act of scratching the skin to alleviate an itch or irritation.

A starting line (originally and simply, a line scratched in the ground), as in boxing.

A technical error of touching or surpassing the starting mark prior to the official start signal in the sporting events of long jump, discus, hammer throw, shot put, and similar. Originally the starting mark was a scratch on the ground but is now a board or precisely indicated mark.

(cycling) The last riders to depart in a handicap race.

(billiards) An aberration.

(horse racing) A horse withdrawn from a race prior to the start.

(meiosis) An injury.

(slang) Money.

A feed, usually a mixture of a few common grains, given to chickens.

(in the plural) Minute, but tender and troublesome, excoriations, covered with scabs, upon the heels of horses which have been used where it is very wet or muddy.

(now historical) A scratch wig.

(music) A genre of Virgin Islander music, better known as fungi.