scram·ble
(skrăḿbəl)
[Perhaps blend of obsolete scamble, to struggle for, and dialectal cramble, to crawl.]
verb: -bled, -bling, -bles.
intransitive verb
- To move or climb hurriedly, especially on the hands and knees.
- To struggle or contend frantically in order to get something: scrambled for the best seats.
- To take off with all possible haste, as to intercept enemy aircraft.
- Football
- To run around with the ball behind the line of scrimmage in order to avoid being tackled while searching for an open receiver.
- To run forward with the ball when unable to complete an intended pass play. Used of a quarterback.
transitive verb
- To mix or throw together haphazardly.
- To gather together in a hurried or disorderly fashion.
- To cook (beaten eggs) until firm but with a soft consistency.
- Electronics To distort or garble (a signal) so as to render it unintelligible without a special receiver.
- To cause (aircraft) to take off as fast as possible, as to intercept enemy aircraft.
noun
- The act or an instance of scrambling.
- An arduous hike or climb over rough terrain.
- An unceremonious scuffle or struggle.
- Sports See motocross
- A swift takeoff of military aircraft in response to an alert or attack.
mo·to·cross
(mṓtō-krôś, -krŏś)
[French moto-cross, moto, motorcycle (short for motocyclette) (from moto-, motor) (from moteur) (from Latin mōtor, mover; see motor), + English cross(-country).]
noun
- A cross-country motorcycle race over a closed course of rough terrain with steep hills and sharp curves. Also called scramble
