SCUFF Scuff, n. Etym: [Cf. D. schoft shoulder, Goth. skuft hair of the head. Cf. Scruff.]
Defn: The back part of the neck; the scruff. [Prov. Eng.] Ld. Lytton.
SCUFF
Scuff, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scuffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scuffing.] Etym:
[See Scuffle.]
Defn: To walk without lifting the feet; to proceed with a scraping or dragging movement; to shuffle.
SCUFFLE
Scuf"fle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scuffled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scuffling.]
Etym: [Freq. of scuff, v.i.; cf. Sw. skuffa to push, shove, skuff a
push, Dan. skuffe a drawer, a shovel, and E. shuffle, shove. See
Shove, and cf. Shuffle.]
1. To strive or struggle with a close grapple; to wrestle in a rough fashion.
2. Hence, to strive or contend tumultuously; to struggle confusedly or at haphazard. A gallant man had rather fight to great disadvantage in the field, in an orderly way, than scuffle with an undisciplined rabble. Eikon Basilike.
SCUFFLE
Scuf"fle, n.
1. A rough, haphazard struggle, or trial of strength; a disorderly wrestling at close quarters.
2. Hence, a confused contest; a tumultuous struggle for superiority; a fight. The dog leaps upon the serpent, and tears it to pieces; but in the scuffle the cradle happened to be overturned. L'Estrange.