Hypertext Webster Gateway: "scuffle"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Scuffle \Scuf"fle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Scuffled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Scuffling}.] [Freq. of scuff, v.i.; cf. Sw. skuffa to
push, shove, skuff a push, Dan. skuffe a drawer, a shovel,
and E. shuffle, shove. See {Shove}, and cf. {Shuffle}.]
1. To strive or struggle with a close grapple; to wrestle in
a rough fashion.
2. Hence, to strive or contend tumultuously; to struggle
confusedly or at haphazard.
A gallant man had rather fight to great disadvantage
in the field, in an orderly way, than scuffle with
an undisciplined rabble. --Eikon
Basilike.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Scuffle \Scuf"fle\, n.
1. A rough, haphazard struggle, or trial of strength; a
disorderly wrestling at close quarters.
2. Hence, a confused contest; a tumultuous struggle for
superiority; a fight.
The dog leaps upon the serpent, and tears it to
pieces; but in the scuffle the cradle happened to be
overturned. --L'Estrange.
3. A child's pinafore or bib. [Prov. Eng.]
4. A garden hoe. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
scuffle
n 1: disorderly fighting [syn: {hassle}, {tussle}, {rough-and-tumble}]
2: a hoe that is used by pushing rather than pulling [syn: {scuffle
hoe}, {Dutch hoe}]
3: an unceremonious and disorganized struggle [syn: {scramble}]
v 1: walk by dragging one's feet; "he shuffled out of the room";
"We heard his feet shuffling down the hall" [syn: {shuffle},
{shamble}]
2: fight or struggle in a confused way at close quarters; "the
drunken men started to scuffle" [syn: {tussle}]
3: fight or wrestle in a vigorous way [syn: {tussle}]
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