Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun An irregular, hasty meal; a “scratch” meal.
  • Scrambling; struggling; disorderly; without method or regularity.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of scamble.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • When it comes to the “dying a little bit inside” gigs, I am scambling to fill the time, and often hoping we can end early.

    Dying a Little Bit on the Inside | Motivational Humor from the Motivational Smart Ass! 2010

  • Since this economic thing is such a mess and has a number of people in the know scambling, I would guess it would be messy.

    Is Obama "overwhelmed" and "too tired"? Ann Althouse 2009

  • In a new world of expensive gas, Dearborn is scambling to overhaul its SUV-heavy lineup:

    Daimnation!: Ford gets small 2008

  • Now that the barriers of entry into the distribution and promotion of music, movies etc are quickly vanishing, the entertainment industry is scambling to erect legal barriers through underhanded spin-doctoring, buying politicians, and outright deception and fear-mongering.

    The Big Music Apple Stomp 2005

  • If ever thou beest mine, Kate, as I have a saving faith within me tells me thou shalt, I get thee with scambling, and thou must therefore needs prove a good soldier-breeder: shall not thou and I, between Saint Denis and Saint George, compound a boy, half French, half English, that shall go to

    The Life of King Henry the Fifth 2004

  • The most common method of scambling is to remove the sync signal.

    The HAQ Frequently Asked Questions by Belisarius (Part II) 1994

  • So as the Ladies and gentlewomen should haue their eares so occupied what with Musicke, and what with their handes wantonly scambling and catching after the nuttes, that they could not intend to harken after any other thing.

    The Arte of English Poesie George Puttenham

  • If ever thou be’st mine, Kate, —as I have a saving faith within me tells me thou shalt, —I get thee with scambling, and thou must therefore needs prove a good soldier-breeder.

    Act V. Scene II. The Life of King Henry the Fifth 1914

  • Your hand like Dingley's, you scambling, [17] scattering sluttikin!

    The Journal to Stella Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745 1901

  • Cotton Mather, he drew many a spiritual lesson from the food set before him; especially, however, at a scambling meal, or at any repast which he ate alone, and hence had naught and no one to divert therefrom his ever-religious thoughts.

    Customs and Fashions in Old New England Alice Morse Earle 1881

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