scuffle

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: hassletussledogfightrough-and-tumblescuffle hoeDutch hoescrambleshuffleshamble

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. disorderly fightingSynonyms: hassletussledogfightrough-and-tumble
  2. a hoe that is used by pushing rather than pullingSynonyms: scuffle hoeDutch hoe
  3. an unceremonious and disorganized struggleSynonyms: scramble

Verb (2)

  1. walk by dragging one's feet“he shuffled out of the room”“We heard his feet shuffling down the hall”Synonyms: shuffleshamble
  2. fight or struggle in a confused way at close quarters“the drunken men started to scuffle”Synonyms: tussle
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

A gallant man had rather fight to great disadvantage in the field, in an orderly way, than scuffle with an undisciplined rabble.— Eikon Basilike.[1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]

The dog leaps upon the serpent, and tears it to pieces; but in the scuffle the cradle happened to be overturned.— L'Estrange.[1913 Webster]

3.A child's pinafore or bib. [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster]

4.A garden hoe. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell. [1913 Webster]

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