scrim´mag|er

scrim|mage «SKRIHM ihj», noun, verb. -maged, -mag|ing.

–n.

1. a rough fight or struggle: »

... one of those chums that stand for a fellow in a scrimmage and look after him should he be hurt (Joseph Conrad).

2. a) the play in football that takes place when the two teams are lined up and the ball is snapped back. b) football playing for practice: »

an hour of scrimmage between the first and second teams.

–v.i.

1. to take part in a rough fight or struggle.

2. to take part in a scrimmage in football.

3. to bustle about, especially in search of something.

–v.t.

to oppose in football practice: »

to scrimmage the second team.

Also, especially British, scrummage.

╂[variant of skirmish]

–scrim´mag|er, noun.