SCORE

score. Score, n. a line drawn, notch, draft, account, debt, fake, motive, reason, the number twenty

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Score (skōr), 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. 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.
Whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used. Shak. 2. 2. An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; hence, indebtedness.
He parted well, and paid his score. Shak. 3. 3. Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf.
But left the trade, as many more Have lately done on the same score. Hudibras. You act your kindness in Cydaria's score. Dryden. 4. 4. The number twenty, as being marked off by a special score or tally; hence, in pl., a large number.
Amongst three or four score hogsheads. Shak. At length the queen took upon herself to grant patents of monopoly by scores. Macaulay. 5. 5. A distance of twenty yards; — a term used in ancient archery and gunnery. Halliwell.
6. 6. A weight of twenty pounds.
7. 7. The number of points gained by the contestants, or either of them, in any game, as in cards or cricket.
8. 8. A line drawn; a groove or furrow.
9. 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).
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. Does not the earth quit scores with all the elements in the noble fruits that issue from it? South.