scramble

[skram-buh l] /ˈskræm bəl/
verb (used without object), scrambled, scrambling.
1.
to climb or move quickly using one's hands and feet, as down a rough incline.
2.
to compete or struggle with others for possession or gain:
The children scrambled for the coins we tossed.
3.
to move hastily and with urgency:
She scrambled into her coat and ran out the door.
4.
Military. (of pilots or aircraft) to take off as quickly as possible to intercept enemy planes.
verb (used with object), scrambled, scrambling.
5.
to collect or organize (things) in a hurried or disorderly manner (often followed by together or up):
He scrambled the papers up from the desk. I scrambled the report together at the last minute.
6.
to mix together confusedly:
The teacher has hopelessly scrambled our names and faces.
7.
to cause to move hastily, as if in panic:
He scrambled everyone out of the burning building.
8.
to cook (eggs) in a pan while stirring, usually after mixing whites and yolks together.
9.
to make (a radio or telephonic message) incomprehensible to interceptors by systematically changing the transmission frequencies.
10.
to mix the elements of (a television signal) so that only subscribers with a decoding box can receive the signal.
11.
Military. to cause (an intercepting aircraft or pilot) to take off in the shortest possible time, in response to an alert.
noun
12.
a quick climb or progression over rough, irregular ground.
13.
a struggle for possession or gain:
a scramble for choice seats in the stadium.
14.
any disorderly or hasty struggle or proceeding.
15.
Military. an emergency takeoff of interceptors performed in the shortest possible time.
Origin
1580-90; blend of dial. scamble to stumble along, and scrabble (in the same sense)
Examples from the web for scramble
  • During a bun scramble, contestants race up a tower covered in steamed buns, snatching as many as possible.
  • It also has encouraged a mad political scramble for funds as regions position for federal monies.
  • Sudden showers can mean frustrating moments trying to scramble out of the car and open an umbrella at the same time.
  • And the higher-education establishment had to scramble to set the record straight.
  • They always seemed able to regain their footing and scramble out.
  • We tend to rush our projects to completion in a scramble to meet defense deadlines.
  • Much of it has entailed a scramble for resources, often in conflict-torn areas.
  • Later generations would scramble to get their degrees and into the job market to repay their debts.
  • From there, it was a steep scramble up terrain snarled with thickets of slide alder and spiky devil's club.
  • As in a game of musical chairs, polluters must scramble to match allowances to emissions.
British Dictionary definitions for scramble

scramble

/ˈskræmbəl/
verb
1.
(intransitive) to climb or crawl, esp by using the hands to aid movement
2.
(intransitive) to proceed hurriedly or in a disorderly fashion
3.
(intransitive) often foll by for. to compete with others, esp in a disordered manner: to scramble for a prize
4.
(intransitive) foll by through. to deal with hurriedly and unsystematically
5.
(transitive) to throw together in a haphazard manner; jumble
6.
(transitive) to collect in a hurried or disorganized manner
7.
(transitive) to cook (eggs that have been whisked up with milk and seasoning) in a pan containing a little melted butter
8.
(military) to order (a crew or aircraft) to take off immediately or (of a crew or aircraft) to take off immediately
9.
(transitive) to render (speech) unintelligible during transmission by means of an electronic scrambler
noun
10.
the act of scrambling
11.
a climb over rocks that involves the use of the hands but not ropes, etc
12.
a disorderly struggle, esp to gain possession
13.
(military) an immediate preparation for action, as of crew, aircraft, etc
14.
(Brit) a motorcycle rally in which competitors race across rough open ground
Word Origin
C16: blend of scrabble and ramp
Word Origin and History for scramble
v.

1580s (intransitive), perhaps a nasalized variant of scrabble (v.), in its sense of "to struggle, to scrape quickly." Transitive sense "to stir or toss together randomly" is from 1822. Broadcasting sense "to make unintelligible" is attested from 1927. Related: Scrambled; scrambling. Scrambled eggs first recorded 1843.

n.

1670s, "an eager, rude contest or struggle," from scramble (v.). Meaning "a walk or ramble involving clambering and struggling with obstacles" is from 1755. Meaning "rapid take-off" first recorded 1940, R.A.F. slang.

Slang definitions & phrases for scramble

scramble

verb

: Some girls I know ''scramble,'' which means sell drugs, to get it (1980s+ Teenagers)