scarify

Definitions


[ˈskɛːrɪfʌɪ], (Verb)

Definitions:
- cut and remove debris from (a lawn) with a scarifier

- make shallow incisions in (the skin), especially as a medical procedure or traditional cosmetic practice
(e.g: she scarified the snakebite with a paring knife)

- criticize severely and hurtfully
(e.g: he scarified our leading politicians, seizing upon their vulnerable points)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French scarifier, via late Latin from Greek skariphasthai ‘scratch an outline’, from skariphos ‘stylus’


[ˈskɛːrɪfʌɪ], (Verb)

Definitions:
- frighten
(e.g: the children would be scarified out of part of their senses)


Phrases:

Origin:
late 18th century: formed irregularly from scare, perhaps on the pattern of terrify




definition by Oxford Dictionaries