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scuttle1 definition

scut·tle (skut′'l)

noun

  1. a broad, open basket for carrying grain, vegetables, etc.
  2. a kind of bucket, usually with a wide lip, used for pouring coal on a fire
    in full coal scuttle

Etymology: ME scutel, a dish < OE < L scutella, salver, dim. of scutra, flat dish

scuttle2 definition

scut·tle (skut′'l)

intransitive verb scuttled -·tled, scuttling -·tling

to run or move quickly; scurry, esp. away from danger, trouble, etc.

Etymology: ME scutlen, prob. akin to scud

noun

a scurry or scamper; hasty flight
scuttle3 definition

scut·tle (skut′'l)

noun

  1. an opening in a wall or roof, fitted with a lid or cover
  2. a small, covered opening or hatchway in the outer hull or deck of a ship
  3. the lid or cover for any such opening

Etymology: LME skottelle < MFr escoutille, trapdoor < Sp escotilla, an indentation, hollowing < escote, a notch, tuck, prob. < Goth skauts, seam, border; akin to OE sceat, sheet

transitive verb scuttled -·tled, scuttling -·tling

  1. to make or open holes in the hull of (a ship or boat) below the waterline; esp., to sink in this way
  2. to scrap or abandon (a plan, undertaking, etc.)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

scuttle Synonyms

scuttle

v.

  1. To destroy

    submerge, abandon, dismantle; see destroy 1, sink 2.

  2. To hurry

    scurry, scramble, sprint; see hasten 1, run 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

scuttle Usage Examples

Object

  • shake: Are you put off by the irritating scuttle shake common to almost every convertible?

Modifying Another Word

  • back: Others might be able to survive just long enough to scuttle back into the sea.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • around: Got sorted and started to scuttle around the three remaining boilers.

Noun used with modifier

  • coal: They make rather neat little coal scuttles, or plant pots.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • down: It was little more than a shadow, and it scuttled down the darkened hall fast, like a little patch of night.
scuttle usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"scuttle." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/scuttle>

APA Style

scuttle. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/scuttle

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