scarify1
/ˈskarɪfʌɪ
/ /ˈskɛːrɪfʌɪ/verb (scarifies, scarifying, scarified) [with object]
1Cut and remove debris from (a lawn) with a scarifier.It is a good idea to scarify the lawn and remove any thatch, as it restricts air movement, impedes drainage and encourages the formation of moss and weeds....
- On a dry day, scarify the lawn to remove unwanted thatch and then aerate and top-dress any badly drained areas.
- It's a good time to scarify lawns and remove the dead grass called thatch.
1.1Break up the surface of (soil or a road or pavement).It is expected that it should be able to rip ice to the same depth it scarifies soil....
- They intend to scarify the top layer to a depth of a few inches prior to next season.
- Reverse is better for controlled cutting, pulverizing clods, sorting debris from soil, and scarifying hard ground.
2Make shallow incisions in (the skin), especially as a medical procedure or traditional cosmetic practice: she scarified the snakebite with a paring knife...
- In the past, mild acids, or salt were used to scarify the skin but the scar could be as undesirable as the tattoo.
- Thus, in Papua New Guinea the Kendengei people of the Sepik ritually scarify adolescent men.
- This surface effect gives his drawings yet another bodily reference, perhaps unintended, in its resemblance to scarified skin.
3Criticize severely and hurtfully: he scarified our leading politicians, seizing upon their vulnerable points...
- I was blackballed and blacklisted, vilified and scarified and was reduced to having to go incognito to Cleary's of Ballycroy to enjoy a pint or three.
- From information released he seemingly has scarified both his Irish and Manchester colleagues.
- A staunch Wicklow supporter, he has been scarified for hoisting the Dublin colours in Balto.
Derivatives
scarification
- Dotted designs represent facial scarifications and remind the viewer of the fleeting nature of youth.
- In spring, you may also want to give it a scarification to get the thatch (dead matter) out of the roots.
- Decoration on either side of the abdomen may consist of spirals or animal motifs, and in this area of Nigeria, a prominent navel with surrounding scarification is a sign of beauty.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French scarifier, via late Latin from Greek skariphasthai 'scratch an outline', from skariphos 'stylus'.
Rhymes
scarify2
/ˈskɛːrɪfʌɪ/verb (scarifies, scarifying, scarified) [with object] (usually as adjective scarifying) informal
Frighten: a scarifying mix of extreme violence and absurdist humour...
- The English novelist responsible for the most scarifying account of literary humiliation ever put into print died a hundred years ago this month.
Origin
Late 18th century: formed irregularly from scare, perhaps on the pattern of terrify.