dictionary definitions for "scramble"


From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:

  scramble
      n 1: an unceremonious and disorganized struggle [syn: scuffle]
      2: rushing about hastily in an undignified way [syn: scamper,
          scurry]
      v 1: to move hurriedly; "The friend scrambled after them"
      2: climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling [syn: clamber,
         shin, shinny, skin, struggle, sputter]
      3: bring into random order [syn: jumble, throw together]
      4: stir vigorously; "beat the egg whites"; "beat the cream"
         [syn: beat]
      5: make unintelligible; "scramble the message so that nobody
         can understand it" [ant: unscramble]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Scramble \Scram"ble\, v. 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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Of other care they little reckoning make,
              Than how to scramble at the shearer's feast.
                                                    --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Scramble \Scram"ble\, v. t.
     1. To collect by scrambling; as, to scramble up wealth.
        --Marlowe.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To prepare (eggs) as a dish for the table, by stirring the
        yolks and whites together while cooking.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Scramble \Scram"ble\, n.
     1. The act of scrambling, climbing on all fours, or
        clambering.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Scarcity [of money] enhances its price, and
              increases the scramble.               --Locke.
        [1913 Webster]


online dictionary by shmop.net