skɔ: n. & v. --n. 1 a
the number of points, goals, runs,
etc.,
made by a
player,
side, etc., in
some games. b the
total number of points etc. at the
end of a game (the score
was five-nil). c the
act of gaining
esp. a
goal (a
superb score there!). 2 (pl.
same or scores)
twenty or a set of twenty. 3 (in pl.) a
great many (scores of
people arrived). 4 a a
reason or
motive (rejected on the score of absurdity). b
topic,
subject (no worries on
that score). 5 Mus. a a usu. printed
copy of a
composition showing all the
vocal and instrumental parts arranged
one below the
other. b the
music composed
for a
film or
play, esp. for a
musical. 6 colloq. a a
piece of
good fortune. b the act or an
instance of scoring
off another person. 7 colloq. the
state of affairs; the present
situation (asked
what the score was). 8 a
notch, line, etc.
cut or scratched
into a
surface. 9 a an
amount due for
payment. b a
running account kept by marks
against a customer's
name. 10 Naut. a
groove in a
block or dead-eye to hold a
rope. --v. 1 tr. a
win or
gain (a goal,
run, points, etc., or
success etc.) (scored a century). b count for a score of (points in a game etc.) (a bull's-eye scores
most points). c
allot a score to (a
competitor etc.). d
make a
record of (a
point etc.). 2 intr. a make a score in a game (failed to score). b
keep the
tally of points, runs, etc. in a game. 3 tr. mark
with notches, incisions, lines, etc.;
slash;
furrow (scored
his name on the desk). 4 intr.
secure an
advantage by
luck,
cunning, etc. (that is
where he scores). 5 tr. Mus. a
orchestrate (a piece of music). b (usu. foll. by for)
arrange for an
instrument or instruments. c
write the music for (a film, musical, etc.). d write
out in a score. 6 tr. a (usu. foll. by up) mark (a total owed etc.) in a score (see
sense 9b of n.). b (usu. foll. by against, to)
enter (an
item of
debt to a customer). 7 intr. sl. a
obtain drugs illegally. b (of a man) make a
sexual conquest. 8 tr. (usu. foll. by against, to) mentally record (an
offence etc.). 9 tr. US
criticize (a person) severely. økeep score (or the score)
register the score as it is made.
know the score colloq. be
aware of the
essential facts. on the score of for the reason that;
because of. on that score so
far as that is
concerned. score-book (or -card or -sheet) a
book etc. prepared for entering esp. cricket scores
in. score
draw a draw in
football in
which goals are scored. score off (or score points off) colloq.
humiliate, esp. verbally in
repartee etc. score out draw a line
through (words etc.). score
under underline. øøscorer n. scoring n. Mus. [(n.) f. OE: sense 5 f. the line or bar
drawn through all
staves: (v.)
partly f. ON skora f. ON skor notch, tally, twenty, f. Gmc: see SHEAR]
