Scarify

Pronunciation: /ˈskɛrɪˌfaɪ/

Definitions of scarify

verb To make shallow cuts in the skin or surface of something

Example Sentences

A1 The farmer scarified the soil before planting the seeds.

A2 It is important to scarify the lawn to allow for better water absorption.

B1 Gardeners often scarify the grass to remove thatch and improve air circulation.

B2 Professional landscapers use specialized equipment to scarify large areas of land.

C1 The golf course maintenance crew scarifies the greens regularly to maintain their quality.

C2 In agriculture, scarifying the soil can help break up compacted layers and improve drainage.

Examples of scarify in a Sentence

formal The gardener scarified the soil before planting the seeds.

informal I heard that scarifying the lawn can help it grow better.

slang I'm going to scarify this patch of grass to make it look nicer.

figurative The artist scarified the canvas with bold strokes of color.

Grammatical Forms of scarify

• past tense: scarified
• plural: scarifies
• comparative: more scarified
• superlative: most scarified
• present tense: scarify
• future tense: will scarify
• perfect tense: have scarified
• continuous tense: is scarifying
• singular: scarifies
• positive degree: scarify
• infinitive: to scarify
• gerund: scarifying
• participle: scarified

Origin and Evolution of scarify

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'scarify' originated from the Latin word 'scarificare', which is derived from 'scar', meaning 'scratch', and 'facere', meaning 'to make'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in the context of making scratches or cuts on the skin for medical purposes, the meaning of 'scarify' evolved to also include the act of scratching or cutting the surface of something to remove unwanted material or to prepare it for planting seeds. Over time, the word has come to be used metaphorically to describe the act of criticizing or censuring someone harshly.