Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - score

 I. noun  (plural ~s)  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 ~  a. twenty  b. a group of 20 things — often used in combination with a cardinal number four~  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 ~ to settle  5.  a. reason, ground was accepted on the ~ of high academic achievement  b. subject, topic has nothing to say on that ~  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 ~  II. verb  (~d; 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 ~) in a game or contest ~d a touchdown ~d three points  (2) to enable (a base runner) to make a ~  (3) to have as a value in a game or contest ; count a touchdown ~s six points  b.  (1) achieve, attain ~d a dazzling success  (2) acquire help a traveler ~ local drugs — Poitor Koper  (3) win 1 ~d 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 ~ for (a movie)  intransitive verb  1. to keep ~ in a game or contest  2. to make a ~ 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  • ~r noun