I. ˈskribəl verb
( scribbled ; scribbled ; scribbling -b(ə)liŋ ; scribbles )
Etymology: Middle English scriblen, from Medieval Latin scribillare, from Latin scribere to write — more at scribe
transitive verb
1. : to write hastily or carelessly without regard to legibility, correctness, or considered thought
had to scribble the very first ideas that tinkled in his head — Earle Birney
just enough time to scribble their own name — H.A.Smith
2. : to fill or cover with careless or worthless writings
a scribbled envelope
papers … scribbled over with clues — English Digest
intransitive verb
: to write or draw in haste without care as to legibility or value : make indecipherable or meaningless marks
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a writing of little value ; especially : a note written without thought
2. : hasty or careless writing or drawing : illegible or random marks written or drawn
these are the fragmentary meanings I contrive to disengage from the scribbles — Aldous Huxley
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: alteration of earlier scruble, probably from Dutch schrobbelen to card, freq. of schrobben to scrub
: to card (wool fibers) coarsely ; specifically : to perform the preliminary operation of tearing apart