- scarification (n.)
- c.1400, "act of covering with scratches or slight cuts," from Old French scarification (early 14c.), from Late Latin scarificationem, noun of action from past participle stem of scarificare, from Latin scarifare "scratch open," from Greek skariphasthai "to scratch an outline, sketch," from skariphos "pencil, stylus," from PIE root *skribh- "to cut, separate, sift" (see script).