scramble

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Contents

English [edit]

Etymology [edit]

Origin uncertain. Compare earlier dialectal scramb (“pull with hands”).

Pronunciation [edit]

Interjection [edit]

scramble!

  1. (UK) shouted when something desirable is thrown into a group of people who individually want that item.

Verb [edit]

scramble (third-person singular simple present scrambles, present participle scrambling, simple past and past participle scrambled)

  1. (intransitive) To move hurriedly to a location, especially by using all limbs against a surface.
    • 2012 18 April, Phil McNulty, “Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona”, BBC Sport:
      As half-time approached Fabregas had another chance to give Barcelona the lead. He collected an incisive Messi pass and this time beat Cech, who required Cole to scramble back and clear the ball off the line.
    • 1898, J. Meade Falkner, Moonfleet Chapter 3
      When I saw the coffin I knew that I was respited, for, as I judged, there was space between it and the wall behind enough to contain my little carcass; and in a second I had put out the candle, scrambled up the shelves, half-stunned my senses with dashing my head against the roof, and squeezed my body betwixt wall and coffin.
  2. (intransitive) To proceed to a location or an objective in a disorderly manner.
  3. (transitive, of food ingredients, usually including egg) To thoroughly combine and cook as a loose mass.
    I scrambled some eggs with spinach and cheese.
  4. (transitive) To process (telecommunication signals) to make them unintelligible to an unauthorized listener.
  5. (transitive, military) To quickly enter (vehicles, usually aircraft) and proceed to a destination in response to an alert, usually to intercept an attacking enemy.
  6. (intransitive, sports) To partake in motocross.
  7. (intransitive) To ascend rocky terrain as a leisure activity.

Translations [edit]

to move hurriedly to a location using all limbs against a surface
to proceed to a location or an objective in a disorderly manner
to mix food ingredients in a mix to be cooked into a loose mass
to process telecommunication signals to make them unintelligable to an unauthorized listener
to quickly enter vehicles and proceed to destination
to partake in motocross
to ascend rocky terrain as a leisure activity

Derived terms [edit]

Noun [edit]

scramble (plural scrambles)

  1. A rush or hurry
  2. (military) An emergency defensive air force mission to intercept attacking enemy aircraft.
  3. A motocross race
  4. Any frantic period of activity.
    • 2011 January 8, Chris Bevan, “Arsenal 1 - 1 Leeds”, BBC:
      And the Leeds defence, led by the impressive Alex Bruce, was also in determined mood. Jonathan Howson had to clear a Sebastien Squillaci effort off his line and Becchio was also in the right place to hack clear after a goalmouth scramble.

Antonyms [edit]

Translations [edit]

a rush or hurry
an emergency defensive air force mission
a motocross race
any frantic period of activity

Anagrams [edit]

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