Scarifying

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Scarify \Scar"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scarified}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Scarifying}.] [F. scarifier, L. scarificare,
     scarifare, fr. Gr. ? to scratch up, fr. ? 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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Agric.) To stir the surface soil of, as a field.
        [1913 Webster] Scariose