Scramble
['skræmb(ə)l] or ['skræmbl]
Definition
(noun.) an unceremonious and disorganized struggle.
(verb.) make unintelligible; 'scramble the message so that nobody can understand it'.
(verb.) bring into random order.
(verb.) to move hurriedly; 'The friend scrambled after them'.
Checked by Judith--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To clamber with hands and knees; to scrabble; as, to scramble up a cliff; to scramble over the rocks.
(v. i.) 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.
(v. t.) To collect by scrambling; as, to scramble up wealth.
(v. t.) To prepare (eggs) as a dish for the table, by stirring the yolks and whites together while cooking.
(n.) The act of scrambling, climbing on all fours, or clambering.
(n.) 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.
Edited by Joanne
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. [1]. Struggle (as in climbing), scrabble.[2]. Climb (with difficulty), clamber.
n. Struggle, contest, muss, scrabble.
Inputed by Gretchen
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Hurry, bustle, struggle, confusion, turmoil, ferment, commotion, bear-garden,babel, vortex
ANT:Order, orderliness, arrangement, leisureliness, method, uniformity
SYN:Struggle, hurry, bustle
ANT:Lag, dawdle, loiter, saunter
Checked by Gardner
Definition
v.i. to struggle to seize something before others: to catch at or strive for rudely: to wriggle along on all-fours.—v.t. to throw down to be scrambled for: to advance or push.—n. act of scrambling: a struggle for office.—n. Scram′bler.—adj. Scram′bling confused and irregular.—adv. Scram′blingly in a scrambling manner: irregularly: unceremoniously.
Inputed by Jarvis
Examples
- Neither the Danish kingdom (which at that time included Norway and Iceland) nor the Swedes secured very much in the scramble. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- He tried to scramble up the side of the cabin, and succeeded in catching a fleeting hold upon the thatched roof. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- The emphatic horse, cut short by the whip in a most decided negative, made a decided scramble for it, and the three other horses followed suit. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Before the housewives could rest, several people called, and there was a scramble to get ready to see them. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Little heed was given to the welfare of the natives in this scramble. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- We scrambled up the steep bank at the shabby town of Ghizeh, mounted the donkeys again, and scampered away. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- He scrambled to his feet and rushed toward her. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Yes, out it came, and away ran Polly, frightened to death, and scrambled up on Aunt's chair, calling out, 'Catch her! Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- I scrambled the eggs myself. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- An instant later the man had scrambled on to his feet, his face crimson with shame. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- The active old man rapidly delivered his final orders to Captain Georgios, and then hastily scrambled down to the boat, followed by the two young men. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- We scrambled from rock to rock, until in a few moments we had made our way to a point from which we could see the front door of the inn. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- By dint of hard scrambling he finally straddled the top, but some loose stones crumbled away and fell with a crash into the court within. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Alcibiades and some others were scrambling up after you; and then we saw you engage with that foremost blackguard. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Sit down, you dancing, prancing, shambling, scrambling poll-parrot! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- His scrambling home, from week's end to week's end, is like one great washing-day--only nothing's washed! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- The two of them came scrambling down the rock like goats. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- Yet it was better than the sordid scrambling conflict of the present. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
Checked by Bernie