[syn: scuffle, tussle]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. Hence, to strive or contend tumultuously; to struggle
confusedly or at haphazard.
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A gallant man had rather fight to great disadvantage
in the field, in an orderly way, than scuffle with
an undisciplined rabble. --Eikon
Basilike.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Scuffle \Scuf"fle\, n.
1. A rough, haphazard struggle, or trial of strength; a
disorderly wrestling at close quarters.
[1913 Webster]
2. Hence, a confused contest; a tumultuous struggle for
superiority; a fight.
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The dog leaps upon the serpent, and tears it to
pieces; but in the scuffle the cradle happened to be
overturned. --L'Estrange.
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3. A child's pinafore or bib. [Prov. Eng.]
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4. A garden hoe. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
scuffle
n 1: disorderly fighting [syn: hassle, scuffle, tussle,
dogfight, rough-and-tumble]
2: a hoe that is used by pushing rather than pulling [syn:
scuffle, scuffle hoe, Dutch hoe]
3: an unceremonious and disorganized struggle [syn: scramble,
scuffle]
v 1: walk by dragging one's feet; "he shuffled out of the room";
"We heard his feet shuffling down the hall" [syn:
shuffle, scuffle, shamble]
2: fight or struggle in a confused way at close quarters; "the
drunken men started to scuffle" [syn: scuffle, tussle]