scramble Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an unceremonious and disorganized struggle
    scuffle.
  2. noun rushing about hastily in an undignified way
    scamper; scurry.
  3. verb to move hurriedly
    • The friend scrambled after them
  4. verb climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
    shin; shinny; skin; sputter; clamber; struggle.
  5. verb bring into random order
    jumble; throw together.
  6. verb stir vigorously
    beat.
    • beat the egg whites
    • beat the cream
  7. verb make unintelligible
    • scramble the message so that nobody can understand it

WordNet

Scram"ble intransitive verb
Etymology
Freq. of Prov. E. scramb to rake together with the hands, or of scramp to snatch at. cf. Scrabble.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Scrambled ; present participle & verbal noun Scrambling
Definitions
  1. To clamber with hands and knees; to scrabble; as, to scramble up a cliff; to scramble over the rocks.
  2. To struggle eagerly with others for something thrown upon the ground; to go down upon all fours to seize something; to catch rudely at what is desired.
    Of other care they little reckoning make, Than how to scramble at the shearer's feast. Milton.
Scram"ble transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To collect by scrambling; as, to scramble up wealth. Marlowe.
  2. To prepare (eggs) as a dish for the table, by stirring the yolks and whites together while cooking.
Scram"ble noun
Definitions
  1. The act of scrambling, climbing on all fours, or clambering.
  2. The act of jostling and pushing for something desired; eager and unceremonious struggle for what is thrown or held out; as, a scramble for office.
    Scarcity [of money] enhances its price, and increases the scramble. Locke.

Webster 1913