scarification
/ˌskɛrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
noun
- The act of making shallow cuts or scratches on the skin, often for decoration, ritual, or medical purposes.
- Modern scarification is sometimes done as a form of body art, creating raised patterns on the skin.
- The doctor performed scarification on the patient's arm to test for an allergic reaction.
- In some cultures, scarification is used as a rite of passage to mark adulthood.
- The process of scratching or cutting the surface of a seed to help it germinate.
- The scarification of the seed coat allows water to enter and start the growth process.
- Gardeners use scarification on hard seeds like morning glories to help them sprout faster.
- She learned that scarification with sandpaper improves the germination rate of certain wildflowers.