I. ˈskəfəl verb
( scuffled ; scuffled ; scuffling -f(ə)liŋ ; scuffles )
Etymology: probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish skuffa to push — more at scuff
intransitive verb
1. : to contend with vigor and resolution
2. : to strive or struggle at close quarters with disorder and confusion
3.
a. : to accomplish a task hurriedly, superficially, or haphazardly
b.
(1) : to make one's way in or as if in a scuffle : go in hurry and confusion
(2) : to move with a quick shuffling gait or sound : scurry
a mouse ran scuffling behind the wainscoting — Oscar Wilde
(3) : to move with a shuffling plodding gait
scuffled through the four-inch layer of dust — Ben Riker
transitive verb
1. : to poke at or disturb : scuff
brushed through branches of yew and scuffled the gravel — Elizabeth Taylor
scuffling up the dust with long bare feet — Marjorie K. Rawlings
2. : to cause to scuff, shuffle, or otherwise move in a confused manner
Synonyms: see wrestle
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a rough haphazard struggle with scrambling and confusion
during the scuffle several GI shoes trample his camera underfoot — Ray Duncan
b. : a verbal conflict usually involving several sides and with confused claims
without a strong executive the presidential form of government declines into a scuffle of local interests — Times Literary Supplement
2. : a soft confused shuffling sound
listened to the scuffle of children's feet on the great stone floor — Irwin Shaw
3. : a brush forward and back in tap dancing
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: modification of Dutch schoffelen to hoe, scuffle, from Middle Dutch, to shovel, from schoffel, schuffel shovel
: to use a scuffle hoe upon
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: modification of Dutch schoffel, from Middle Dutch schoffel, schuffel shovel — more at shovel
: scuffle hoe
V. intransitive verb
: to struggle (as by working odd jobs) to get by