scratch

1. A disruption, mark or shallow cut on a surface made by scratching. (countable, uncountable) · Her skin was covered with tiny scratches.
2. An act of scratching the skin to alleviate an itch or irritation. (countable, uncountable) · The dog sat up and had a good scratch.
3. A starting line (originally and simply, a line scratched in the ground), as in boxing. (countable, uncountable)
4. A technical error of touching or surpassing the starting mark prior to the official start signal in the sporting events of long jump, discus, hammer throw, shot put, and similar. Originally the starting mark was a scratch on the ground but is now a board or precisely indicated mark. (countable, uncountable)
5. The last riders to depart in a handicap race. (countable, uncountable)
6. A foul in pool, as where the cue ball is put into a pocket or jumps off the table. (countable, uncountable)
7. A horse withdrawn from a race prior to the start. (countable, uncountable) · There were two scratches in race 8, which reduced the field from nine horses to seven.
8. A minor injury. (countable, uncountable) · It's just a scratch!

Plural scratches