verb (used with object), scar·i·fied, scar·i·fy·ing.
- to make scratches or superficial incisions in (the skin, a wound, etc.), as in vaccination.
- to lacerate by severe criticism.
- to loosen (the soil) with a type of cultivator.
- to hasten the sprouting of (hard-covered seeds) by making incisions in the seed coats.
- to break up (a road surface).
verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)
- surgery to make tiny punctures or superficial incisions in (the skin or other tissue), as for inoculating
- agriculture
- to break up and loosen (soil) to a shallow depth
- to scratch or abrade the outer surface of (seeds) to increase water absorption or hasten germination
- to wound with harsh criticism
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
- (tr) informal to make scared; frighten
v.mid-15c., “make incisions in the bark of a tree,” from Middle French scarifier “score, scrape” (leather or hide), 14c., from Late Latin scarificare (see scarification). The sense “cover with scars” (1680s) is a sense-shift from influence of scar (v.). Related: Scarified; scarifier; scarifying. v.
- To make shallow cuts in the skin, as when vaccinating.