scufflel (skufl)

i.; pret. and pp. scuffled, ppr. scuffling. [Formerly also skuffle; freq. of scuff 1. Cf. shuffle. ] To push or fight in a disorderly or scrambling manner; struggle confusedly at close quarters. A gallant man had rather fight to great disadvantages for number and place in the field in an order lie waie then skuffle with an undisciplined rabble. Eikon Basilike , iv. They [ships] being waited for by fifteen or twenty Dunkirkers, which are not like to let them pa without some scuffling . Court and Times of Charles I., II. 3. Talbot Twysden always arrived at Bays's at ten minutes past four, and scuffled for the evening paper, as if its contents were matter of great importance to Talbot. Thackeray , Philip, xxi. =Syn. See quarrell , n. that right-hand scull. off! 5430 That's a smart chap! Now shove Whyte Melville, White Rose, II. vii. 2. An oar used to propel a boat by working it from side to side over the stern, the blade, which is always kept in the water, being turned diagonally at each stroke. See cut in preceding column.-3. A small boat for pa engers; a skiff; a wherry. The wherries then took the places in a great measure of our present cabs; and a cry of "Next Oars" or " Sculls ," when anyone made his appearance at the top of "the Stairs," was synonymous with "Hansom" or "Four Wheeler." J. Ashton, Social Life in Reign of Queen Anne, II. 144. Not getting a boat, I was forced to walk to Stangate, and so over to White Hall in a scull. Pepys , Diary, March 21, 1669. scull2 (skul), v. [ scull a boat.-2. To propel with sculls. II. in trans. 1. To work an oar against the water, at the stern of a boat, in such a way as scufflel 91 (skuf'l), n. [ scufflel , v.] A confused to propel the boat. See sculling . pushing or struggle; a disorderly rencounter or fight. There was a scuffle lately here 'twixt the D. of Nevers and the Cardinal of Guise; they fell to Blows, the Cardinal struck the Duke first, and so were parted. Howell, Letters, I. ii. 19. Bill's coat had been twisted into marvellous shapes in the scuffle. J. T. Trow bridge, Coupon Bonds, p. 121. =Syn. Affray, Brawl, etc. See quarrell.