scribble-scrabble

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• scrabble — 1530s, to scrawl, scribble, from Du. schrabbelen, frequentative of schrabben to scratch, from the same root as SCRAPE (Cf. scrape) (q.v.). Meaning to struggle, scramble first recorded 1630s. The game Scrabble is from 1950, proprietary name (reg.… …   Etymology dictionary

• scrabble — [skrab′əl] vi. scrabbled, scrabbling [Du schrabbelen < schrabben, to scrape: for IE base see SCRAPE] 1. to scratch, scrape, or paw as though looking for something 2. to struggle 3. to scribble; make meaningless marks vt. 1. to scrape together …   English World dictionary

• Scrabble — Scrab ble (skr[a^]b b l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Scrabbled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Scrabbling}.] [Freq. of scrape. Cf. {Scramble}, {Scrawl}, v. t.] 1. To scrape, paw, or scratch with the hands; to proceed by clawing with the hands and feet; to scramble; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• Scrabble — Scrab ble, v. t. To mark with irregular lines or letters; to scribble; as, to scrabble paper. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• Scribble — Scrib ble, v. t. [Cf. {Scrabble}.] (Woolen Manuf.) To card coarsely; to run through the scribbling machine. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• Scrabble — Scrab ble, n. The act of scrabbling; a moving upon the hands and knees; a scramble; also, a scribble. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• scrabble — I. verb (scrabbled; scrabbling) Etymology: Dutch schrabbelen to scratch Date: 1537 intransitive verb 1. scrawl, scribble 2. to scratch, claw, or grope about clumsily or frantically 3. a. scramble …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• scrabble — scrabbler, n. /skrab euhl/, v., scrabbled, scrabbling, n. v.t. 1. to scratch or scrape, as with the claws or hands. 2. to grapple or struggle with or as if with the claws or hands. 3. to scrawl; scribble. v.i. 4. to scratch or dig frantically… …   Universalium

• scrabble — [c]/ˈskræbəl / (say skrabuhl) verb (scrabbled, scrabbling) –verb (i) 1. to scratch or scrape, as with the claws or hands. 2. to scrawl; scribble. 3. to struggle to gain possession of something. 4. to scratch or grope about clumsily or blindly.… …  

• scrabble — scrab·ble || skræbl n. scribble, scrawl; scratch, scrape; scramble, struggle v. scribble, scrawl; scratch, abrade. scrape; struggle, scramble; snatch, grope …   English contemporary dictionary