score

I. noun (plural scores) Etymology: Middle English scor, from Old Norse skor notch, tally, twenty; akin to Old English scieran to cut — more at shear Date: 14th century 1. or plural score a. twenty b. a group of 20 things — often used in combination with a cardinal number <

fourscore

> c. an indefinitely large number 2. a. a line (as a scratch or incision) made with or as if with a sharp instrument b. (1) a mark used as a starting point or goal (2) a mark used for keeping account 3. a. an account or reckoning originally kept by making marks on a tally b. amount due ; indebtedness 4. grudge <

a score to settle

> 5. a. reason, ground <

was accepted on the score of high academic achievement

> b. subject, topic <

has nothing to say on that score

> 6. a. the copy of a musical composition in written or printed notation b. a musical composition; specifically the music for a movie or theatrical production c. a complete description of a dance composition in choreographic notation 7. a. a number that expresses accomplishment (as in a game or test) or excellence (as in quality) either absolutely in points gained or by comparison to a standard b. an act (as a goal, run, or touchdown) in any of various games or contests that gains points 8. success in obtaining something (as money or drugs) especially through illegal or irregular means 9. the stark inescapable facts of a situation <

knows the score

> II. verb (scored; scoring) Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to keep a record or account of by or as if by notches on a tally ; record b. to enter in a record c. to mark with significant lines or notches (as in keeping account) 2. to mark with lines, grooves, scratches, or notches 3. berate, scold; also denounce 4. a. (1) to make (a score) in a game or contest <

scored a touchdown

> <

scored three points

> (2) to enable (a base runner) to make a score (3) to have as a value in a game or contest ; count <

a touchdown scores six points

> b. (1) achieve, attain <

scored a dazzling success

> (2) acquire <

help a traveler score local drugs — Poitor Koper

> (3) win 1 <

scored free tickets over the radio

> 5. to determine the merit of ; grade 6. a. to write or arrange (music) for a specific performance medium b. to make an orchestration of c. to compose a score for (a movie) intransitive verb 1. to keep score in a game or contest 2. to make a score in a game or contest 3. a. to gain or have the advantage b. to be successful: as (1) to succeed in having sexual intercourse (2) to manage to obtain illicit drugs c. rate III • scorer noun