itch

Everyday

1. An itch is a feeling on your skin that makes you want to scratch it. tree →
2. To itch means your skin has that feeling, or that something makes your skin feel like that, like a woolly jumper. tree →
3. An itch to do something, or itching to do it, means you really want to do it soon. tree →

In the lessons

Everyday and health: insect bites, chickenpox, nettles, dry skin, nits (head lice) and some plants make you itch; scratching can break the skin and let germs in, so cream, a cool cloth or not scratching is better. In stories «itching to» shows impatience. Phrases: «scratch an itch», «itching to go», «an itchy jumper», «itchy feet» (wanting to travel).

Examples

• The mosquito bite started to itch. tree →
• Try not to scratch that itch or it will bleed. tree →
• This wool jumper makes my neck itch. tree →
• I had an itch on my back I could not reach. tree →
• Chickenpox spots itch a lot. tree →
• The children were itching to go outside and play in the snow. tree →
• Nettles made my legs itch for an hour. tree →
• Dad has itchy feet and wants to travel again. tree →
• Hook itched to do it, but it seemed too brutal. tree →

Note

Adjective: «itchy». Do not confuse «itch» with «scratch»: the itch is the feeling, the scratch is what you do with your nails. «Itches» is both the plural noun and the verb with he/she/it: «My arm itches». Constant itching of the head can mean nits; tell an adult.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: The itch is named among the curses that come if Israel does not keep the commandments. In the primary lessons: Everyday and health: insect bites, chickenpox, nettles, dry skin, nits (head lice) and some plants make you itch; scratching can break the skin and let germs in, so cream, a cool cloth or not scratching is better. In stories «itching to» shows impatience. Phrases: «scratch an itch», «itching to go», «an itchy jumper», «itchy feet» (wanting to travel).

Examples

• The LORD will smite thee with the boil of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed. (Torah DEU.28.27, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Adjective: «itchy». Do not confuse «itch» with «scratch»: the itch is the feeling, the scratch is what you do with your nails. «Itches» is both the plural noun and the verb with he/she/it: «My arm itches». Constant itching of the head can mean nits; tell an adult.