From formal English to slang. 2014.
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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
scuffle — [n] fight affray, brawl, broil, commotion, disturbance, fracas, fray, fuss*, go*, jump, mixup, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, scrap, set to*, shuffle, strife, tussle, wrangle; concept 106 Ant. agreement, peace scuffle [v] fight clash, come to… … New thesaurus
scuffle — ► NOUN ▪ a short, confused fight or struggle. ► VERB 1) engage in a scuffle. 2) move in a hurried, confused, or shuffling way. ORIGIN probably Scandinavian … English terms dictionary
scuffle — index affray, altercation, belligerency, brawl (noun), brawl (verb), commotion, confrontation (altercation) … Law dictionary
scuffle — 1570s, probably a frequentative form of SCUFF (Cf. scuff), of Scandinavian origin. Related: Scuffled; scuffling … Etymology dictionary
scuffle — vb *wrestle, tussle, grapple Analogous words: fight, *contend: clash, conflict, collide, *bump … New Dictionary of Synonyms
scuffle — [skuf′əl] vi. scuffled, scuffling [freq. of SCUFF] 1. to struggle or fight in rough confusion 2. to move in a confused hurry or bustle 3. to drag the feet; shuffle ☆ 4. Informal to try hard but with little or no success; specif., to struggle to… … English World dictionary
scuffle — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ brief ▪ little, minor VERB + SCUFFLE ▪ be involved in SCUFFLE + VERB ▪ break out … Collocations dictionary
scuffle — I UK [ˈskʌf(ə)l] / US noun [countable] Word forms scuffle : singular scuffle plural scuffles a small fight that lasts for a short time and is not very violent II UK [ˈskʌf(ə)l] / US verb [intransitive] Word forms scuffle : present tense… … English dictionary
scuffle — scuf|fle1 [ˈskʌfəl] n [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: Probably from a Scandinavian language] a short fight that is not very violent ▪ Scuffles broke out between rival supporters during the match. scuffle with/between ▪ scuffles with police scuffle 2… … Dictionary of contemporary English
