Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Scramble

Scram′ble

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Scrambled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Scrambling
.]
[Freq. of Prov. E.
scramb
to rake together with the hands, or of
scramp
to snatch at. cf.
Scrabble
.]
1.
To clamber with hands and knees; to scrabble;
as, to
scramble
up a cliff; to
scramble
over the rocks
.
2.
To struggle eagerly with others for something thrown upon the ground; to go down upon all fours to seize something; to catch rudely at what is desired.
Of other care they little reckoning make,
Than how to
scramble
at the shearer’s feast.
Milton.

Scram′ble

,
Verb.
T.
1.
To collect by scrambling;
as, to
scramble
up wealth
.
Marlowe.
2.
To prepare (eggs) as a dish for the table, by stirring the yolks and whites together while cooking.

Scram′ble

,
Noun.
1.
The act of scrambling, climbing on all fours, or clambering.
2.
The act of jostling and pushing for something desired; eager and unceremonious struggle for what is thrown or held out;
as, a
scramble
for office
.
Scarcity [of money] enhances its price, and increases the
scramble
.
Locke.

Webster 1828 Edition

Scramble

SCRAM'BLE

,
Verb.
I.
[It is not improbably that this word is corrupted from the root of scrape, scrabble.]
1.
To move or climb by seizing objects with the hand, and drawing the body forward; as, to scramble up a cliff.
2.
To seize or catch eagerly at any thing that is desired; to catch with haste preventive of another; to catch at without ceremony. Man originally was obliged to scramble with wild beasts for nuts and acorns.
Of other care they little reck'ning make, than how to scramble at the shearer's feast.

SCRAM'BLE

, n.
1.
An eager contest for something, in which one endeavors to get the thing before another.
The scarcity of money enhances the price and increases the scramble.
2.
The act of climbing by the help of the hands.

Similar Results