Itch — Defs

01 v. i. To have an uneasy sensation in the skin, which inclines the person to scratch the part affected.

imp. & p. p. Itched; p. pr. & vb. n. Itching

1.
To have an uneasy sensation in the skin, which inclines the person to scratch the part affected.
“My mouth hath itched all this long day.” — Chaucer.
2.
To have a constant desire or teasing uneasiness; to long for; as, itching ears.

02 n. An eruption of small, isolated, acuminated vesicles, produced by the entrance of a parasitic mite (the Sarcoptes scabei), and attended with…

1.
An eruption of small, isolated, acuminated vesicles, produced by the entrance of a parasitic mite (the Sarcoptes scabei), and attended with itching. It is transmissible by contact.(Med.)
2.
Any itching eruption.
3.
A sensation in the skin occasioned (or resembling that occasioned) by the itch eruption; -- called also scabies, psora, etc. Also: scabies, psora
4.
A constant irritating desire.
“An itch of being thought a divine king.” — Dryden.

Phrases & compounds

Baker's itch — See under Baker.

Barber's itch — sycosis.

Bricklayer's itch — an eczema of the hands attended with much itching, occurring among bricklayers.

Grocer's itch — an itching eruption, being a variety of eczema, produced by the sugar mite (Tyrogluphus sacchari).

Itch insect — a small parasitic mite (Sarcoptes scabei) which burrows and breeds beneath the human skin, thus causing the disease known as the itch. See Illust. in Append.

Itch mite — Same as Itch insect, above. Also, other similar mites affecting the lower animals, as the horse and ox.

Sugar baker's itch — a variety of eczema, due to the action of sugar upon the skin.

Washerwoman's itch — eczema of the hands and arms, occurring among washerwomen.