- 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. - To stir the surface soil of, as a field.
Meaning of 'scarify' (Princeton's WordNet)
1 . scarify
[ v]
Meaning (1): - scratch the surface of
Example in sentence:
scarify seeds
Meaning (2): - break up
Example in sentence:
scarify soil
Meaning (3): - puncture and scar (the skin), as for purposes or tribal identification or rituals
Example in sentence:
The men in some African tribes scarify their faces