# scratches

Pronunciation: say "SKRACH-iz" /ˈskɹæt͡ʃɪz/

## Noun

1. Plural of scratch. — plural of scratch
   - Simple: Plural of scratch. Use this form when you mean more than one scratch.
   - _Faint scratches ran across the surface of the old vinyl record._
   - _The detective noticed several fresh scratches around the lock._
3. An inflammation of the skin on a horse's pastern, the area just above the hoof, producing scabs, crusts, and soreness.
   - Simple: A skin disease on a horse's lower leg that makes the skin sore, cracked, and crusty.
   - _The trainer treated scratches by keeping the affected pasterns clean and dry._
   - _Horses turned out in soggy paddocks frequently develop scratches over the winter._

## Verb

2. Third-person singular simple present indicative of scratch. — third-person singular simple present indicative of scratch
   - Simple: Third-person singular present of scratch. Use this form with he, she, or it.
   - _The old branch scratches against the window every time the wind picks up._
   - _He scratches a quick note onto the back of an envelope before leaving._

## Origin

**Meanings 1–2** — Formed from "scratch" with the suffix "-es".
**Meaning 3** — Named for the behavior caused by the disease, which makes the affected animal scratch.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/scratches (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).