score

n. [ AS. scor twenty, fr. sceran, scieran, to shear, cut, divide; or rather the kindred Icel. skor incision, twenty, akin to Dan. skure a notch, Sw. skåra. See Shear. ] 1. A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose of account. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; hence, indebtedness. [ 1913 Webster ]

He parted well, and paid his score. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf. [ 1913 Webster ]

But left the trade, as many more
Have lately done on the same score. Hudibras. [ 1913 Webster ]

You act your kindness in Cydaria's score. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The number twenty, as being marked off by a special score or tally; hence, in pl., a large number. [ 1913 Webster ]

Amongst three or four score hogsheads. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

At length the queen took upon herself to grant patents of monopoly by scores. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A distance of twenty yards; -- a term used in ancient archery and gunnery. Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A weight of twenty pounds. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

7. The number of points gained by the contestants, or either of them, in any game, as in cards or cricket. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. A line drawn; a groove or furrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. (Mus.) The original and entire draught, or its transcript, of a composition, with the parts for all the different instruments or voices written on staves one above another, so that they can be read at a glance; -- so called from the bar, which, in its early use, was drawn through all the parts. Moore (Encyc. of Music). [ 1913 Webster ]

10. the grade received on an examination, such as those given in school or as a qualifying examination for a job or admission to school; -- it may be expressed as a percentage of answers which are correct, or as a number or letter; as, a score of 98 in a civil service exam. [ PJC ]

In score (Mus.), having all the parts arranged and placed in juxtaposition. Smart. --
To quit scores, to settle or balance accounts; to render an equivalent; to make compensation. [ 1913 Webster ] Does not the earth quit scores with all the elements in the noble fruits that issue from it? South. [ 1913 Webster ]