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Scotch vs Scratch - What's the difference?

scotch | scratch |

In countable terms the difference between scotch and scratch

is that scotch is a glass of Scotch while scratch is a disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.

In lang=en terms the difference between scotch and scratch

is that scotch is of or from Scotland; Scottish while scratch is to produce a distinctive sound on a turntable by moving a vinyl record back and forth while manipulating the crossfader (see also scratching).

As nouns the difference between scotch and scratch

is that scotch is a surface cut or abrasion while scratch is a disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.

As verbs the difference between scotch and scratch

is that scotch is to cut or score; to wound superficially while scratch is to rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.

As adjectives the difference between scotch and scratch

is that scotch is of Scottish origin while scratch is for or consisting of preliminary or tentative, incomplete, etc. work.

As a proper noun Scotch

is the Scottish dialect of English, or the Scots language.

scotch

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl)

Noun

(es)
  • A surface cut or abrasion.
  • A line drawn on the ground, as one used in playing hopscotch.
  • A block for a wheel or other round object; a chock, wedge, prop, or other support, to prevent slipping.
  • * 1913 ,
    • He was like the scotch in the smooth, happy machinery of the home. And he was always aware of this fall of silence on his entry, the shutting off of life, the unwelcome.
    Derived terms
    * hopscotch

    Verb

    (es)
  • To cut or score; to wound superficially.
  • * Shakespeare Macbeth , Act 3, Scene 2
    • We have scotched the snake, not killed it.
  • To prevent (something) from being successful.
    • The rain scotched his plans of going to the beach.
  • To debunk or discredit an idea or rumor.
    • ''The prime minister scotched rumors of his resignation.
  • To block a wheel or other round object.
    • The workers stopped the rig on an incline and scotched the wheels.
  • (textile manufacturing) To beat yarn in order to break up slugs and align the threads.
    • Yarn is scotched immediately after it has been dried and while it is still warm. [http://www.google.com/patents?id=DXdGAAAAEBAJ&pg=PP3&vq=scotched&dq=scotching]
  • To dress (stone) with a pick or pointed instrument.
  • (obsolete) To clothe or cover up.
    • Synonyms
    * foil, put the kibosh on, thwart * (block a wheel) chock, block

    Etymology 2

    See Scotch .

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of Scottish origin.
    • Usage notes
    * The use of scotch'' rather than ''Scottish'' (or Scots) is generally limited to a few specific cases, such as scotch plaid, Scotch whisky, Scotch broth, etc. It may be considered incorrect usage in other combinations. It is usually capitalised ''Scotch .

    Noun

    (es)
  • Whisky of Scottish origin.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=5 citation , passage=A waiter brought his aperitif, which was a small scotch and soda, and as he sipped it gratefully he sighed.
       ‘Civilized,’ he said to Mr. Campion. ‘Humanizing.’ […] ‘Cigars and summer days and women in big hats with swansdown face-powder, that's what it reminds me of.’}}

    Etymology 3

    From 3M's Scotch tape .

    Noun

    (-)
  • Scotch tape

    • Verb

    (es)
  • (Australian rhyming slang) to rape
    • ----

    scratch

    English

    (wikipedia scratch)

    Verb

    (es)
  • To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.
    • Could you please scratch my back?
  • * Jonathan Swift
    • Be mindful, when invention fails, / To scratch your head, and bite your nails.
  • To rub the skin with rough material causing a sensation of irritation.
    • I don't like that new scarf because it scratches my neck.
  • To mark a surface with a sharp object, thereby leaving a scratch (noun).
    • A real diamond can easily scratch a pane of glass.
  • To remove, ignore or delete.
    • Scratch what I said earlier; I was wrong.
    When the favorite was scratched from the race, there was a riot at the betting windows.
  • (music) To produce a distinctive sound on a turntable by moving a vinyl record back and forth while manipulating the crossfader (see also ).
  • (billiards) To commit a foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table.
    • Embarrassingly, he scratched on the break, popping the cue completely off the table.
  • (billiards, dated, US) To score, not by skilful play but by some fortunate chance of the game.
  • To write or draw hastily or awkwardly.
  • * Jonathan Swift
    • Scratch out a pamphlet.
  • To dig or excavate with the claws.
    • Some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow.

    Derived terms

    * scratch one's head * scratch the surface * scratcher * scratchpad * scratchy * scratch an itch * Old Scratch

    Synonyms

    * scrattle

    Noun

    (es)
  • (lb) A disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching.
  • :
  • :
  • *(William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)
  • *:God forbid a shallow scratch should drive / The prince of Wales from such a field as this.
  • *(Joseph Moxon) (1627-1691)
  • *:The coarse filemakes deep scratches in the work.
  • *1709 , (Matthew Prior), '' Henry and Emma, line 503
  • *:These nails with scratches deform my breast.
  • *
  • *:Thus, when he drew up instructions in lawyer language, he expressed the important words by an initial, a medial, or a final consonant, and made scratches for all the words between; his clerks, however, understood him very well.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham)
    • , title=(The China Governess) , chapter=Foreword citation , passage=A very neat old woman, still in her good outdoor coat and best beehive hat, was sitting at a polished mahogany table on whose surface there were several scored scratches so deep that a triangular piece of the veneer had come cleanly away, […].}}
  • An act of scratching the skin to alleviate an itch or irritation.
  • :
  • (lb)
  • #A starting line (originally and simply, a line scratched in the ground), as in boxing.
  • #:(Grose)
  • #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.
  • #(lb) An aberration.
  • ##A foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table.
  • ## A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke.
  • (label) Money.
  • *2006 , (Clive James), North Face of Soho , Picador 2007, p. 153:
  • *:He and Bruce cooked up a script together, and Bruce flew home to raise the scratch .
  • A feed, usually a mixture of a few common grains, given to chickens.
  • (lb) 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.
  • *1887 , James Law, The Farmer's Veterinary Adviser
  • *:These are exemplified in the scurfy, scaly affections which appear in the bend of the knee (mallenders) and hock (sallenders) and on the lower parts of the limbs, by scratches , and by a scaly exfoliation.
  • A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.

    • Derived terms

    * from scratch * scratch-built * start from scratch * Old Scratch

    Adjective

    (-)
  • For or consisting of preliminary or tentative, incomplete, etc. work.
    • This is scratch paper, so go ahead and scribble whatever you want on it.
  • Hastily assembled; put together in a hurry or from disparate elements.
  • * 1988 , James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom , Oxford 2004, p. 740:
    • Bluecoats began crossing the James on June 14 and next day two corps approached Petersburg, which was held by Beauregard with a scratch force of 2,500.
  • (computing, from scratchpad) Relating to a data structure or recording medium attached to a machine for testing or temporary use.
  • Constructed from whatever materials are to hand.
  • (sports) (of a player) Of a standard high enough to play without a handicap, i.e. to compete without the benefit of a variation in scoring based on ability.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year=1964 , author=Charles Price , title=The American golfer , page=48 , passage=... the shot that does most to make a genuine scratch golfer is the mashie shot up to the pin — not merely up to the green.}}
  • Made, done, or happening by chance; arranged with little or no preparation; determined by circumstances; haphazard.
    • a scratch''' team; a '''scratch''' crew for a boat race; a '''scratch shot in billiards
    a scratch race: one without restrictions regarding the entry of competitors

    Derived terms

    * scratch monkey * scratch sheet

    References

    * * The Jargon File - Scratch