What does "scramble" mean?
Scramble: 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.
Additional senses
- 2.To collect by scrambling; as, to scramble up wealth. Marlowe.
- 3.To prepare (eggs) as a dish for the table, by stirring the yolks and whites together while cooking.
- 4.The act of scrambling, climbing on all fours, or clambering.
- 5.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.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00