scuttle 1
/skut"l/ , n.
1. a deep bucket for carrying coal.
2. Brit. Dial. a broad, shallow basket.
[ bef. 1050; ME; OE scutel dish, trencher, platter scutella, dim. of scutra shallow pan ]
scuttle 2
/skut"l/ , v. , scuttled, scuttling , n.
v.i.
1. to run with quick, hasty steps; scurry.
n.
2. a quick pace.
3. a short, hurried run.
[ 1400-50; late ME scottlynge (ger.), var. of scuddle, freq. of SCUD 1 ]
Syn. 1. hasten, hurry, scamper, scramble.
scuttle 3
/skut"l/ , n. , v. , scuttled, scuttling .
n.
1. Naut.
a. a small hatch or port in the deck, side, or bottom of a vessel.
b. a cover for this.
2. a small hatchlike opening in a roof or ceiling.
v.t.
3. to sink (a vessel) deliberately by opening seacocks or making openings in the bottom.
4. to abandon, withdraw from, or cause to be abandoned or destroyed (as plans, hopes, rumors, etc.).
[ 1490-1500; perh. escotilla hatchway, equiv. to escot ( e ) a cutting of cloth ( skaut seam; akin to SHEET 1 ) + -illa dim. suffix ]