scarify

French scarifier, from Late Latin scarificāre, from Latin scarifāre (“to scarify”), from Ancient Greek σκαριφᾶσθαι (skariphâsthai, “scratch”), from σκάριφος (skáriphos, “writing, drawing, sketching”)

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈskæ.ɹɪˌfaɪ/, /ˈskɑː.ɹɪˌfaɪ/

scarify (third-person singular simple present scarifies, present participle scarifying, simple past and past participle scarified)

1. (horticulture) To remove thatch (build-up of organic matter on the soil) from a lawn, to dethatch.
2. To make scratches or cuts on.

   A combing tool is used to scarify, cross-scratch, or score the surface of a scratch coat or undercoat of plaster.

   1. (horticulture) To damage the testa (seed coat) of a seed by cutting, scraping, chemicals, hot water, or fire to allow permeation of water and faster germination.
   2. To break up, loosen, or roughen the surface of a field or road or a hard surface.
   3. To scratch, etch, burn, or cut designs into one's skin as a form of body modification.
      • 2008, Neil Cicierega (lyrics and music), “Modify”, in View-Monster, performed by Lemon Demon:

        Stan tried to scarify his neck with a rope
        His plan kinda failed, but it would've been dope

3. To harrow the feelings.
4. (obsolete or nonstandard) To scar.
5. (obsolete or nonstandard) Denude, or lay waste to.

• sacrify