scamble Meaning, Definition & Usage

Scam"ble intransitive verb

Etymology

Cf. OD. schampelen to deviate, to slip, schampen to go away, escape, slip, and E. scamper, shamble.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Scambled ; present participle & verbal noun Scambling

Definitions

1. To move awkwardly; to be shuffling, irregular, or unsteady; to sprawl; to shamble. "Some scambling shifts." Dr. H. More. "A fine old hall, but a scambling house." Evelyn.
2. To move about pushing and jostling; to be rude and turbulent; to scramble. "The scambling and unquiet time did push it out of . . . question." Shak.

Scam"ble transitive verb

Definitions

1. To mangle. Obs. Mortimer.