The making of a number of superficial incisions in the skin. [L. scarifico, to scratch, fr. G. skariphos, a style for sketching]
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scar·i·fi·ca·tion .skar-ə-fə-'kā-shən, .sker- n
1) the act or process of scarifying <vaccination by \scarification>
2) a mark or marks made by scarifying
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n.
the process of making a series of shallow cuts or scratches in the skin to allow a substance to penetrate the body. This was commonly performed during vaccination against smallpox; the vaccine was administered as a droplet left in contact with the scarified area.
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scar·i·fi·ca·tion (skar″ĭ-fĭ-kaґshən) [L. scarificatio, Gr. skariphismos a scratching up] production in the skin of many small, superficial scratches or punctures, as for the introduction of smallpox vaccine. The term is sometimes used erroneously for scarring.Medical dictionary. 2011.