I. ˈskrimij, -mēj noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration of skirmish (I)
1.
a. : a minor battle between small forces of armed men : skirmish
b. : a confused scrambling fight between two or more parties : scuffle , brawl
escaped from the scrimmage minus his hat and with his garments woefully torn — Rachel Henning
2.
a. : scrummage
b. : the interplay between two teams in American football that begins with the snap of the ball and continues until the ball is dead
c. : practice play between a team's various squads (as in football)
d. : the first line of scrimmage formed after a kickoff in football
first play from scrimmage
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
1. : to search busily
2. : to take part in a scrimmage
transitive verb
1. : to throw (a ball) into a scrimmage
2. : to compete against (an opposing team) in a practice football game
scrimmage the junior varsity