verb
scarify
SKAIR-uh-fye/ˈskerɪfaɪ/
To make shallow cuts across a surface.
The tool scarifies the compacted soil with shallow parallel cuts.
Etymology
The underlying action is scratching a surface open. Early English use referred to shallow cuts made in the body to release blood or pus—the same surface-cutting action expressed in the soil sense.
In context
this is the only way to actually scarify with one of these machines or take away any thatch. So, that was an example of using the scarifier to actually create those grooves or scars
More examples
- Workers scarified the concrete so the new coating would stick.
- Scarify the hard seed coats lightly before soaking them.
- Scarifying the soil breaks up its crust without deep digging.
Forms
scarify · scarifies · scarified · scarifying
scarification noun — The act of making shallow surface cuts.