Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Scarify

Scar′i-fy

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Scarified
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Scarifying
.]
[F.
scarifier
, L.
scarificare
,
scarifare
, fr. Gr. [GREEK] to scratch up, fr. [GREEK] a pointed instrument.]
1.
To scratch or cut the skin of; esp.
(Med.)
, to make small incisions in, by means of a lancet or scarificator, so as to draw blood from the smaller vessels without opening a large vein.
2.
(Agric.)
To stir the surface soil of, as a field.

Webster 1828 Edition


Scarify

SCAR'IFY

,
Verb.
T.
[L. scarifico. Gr. L. facio, to make. But the Greek is from a pointed instrument, or a sharp pointed piece of wood.]
To scratch or cut the skin of an animal, or to make small incisions by means of a lancet or cupping instrument, so as to draw blood from the smaller vessels without opening a large vein.