scrabble
scrab·ble / ˈskrabəl/ • v. [intr.] scratch or grope around with one's fingers to find, collect, or hold on to something: she scrabbled at the grassy slope, desperate for a firm grip. ∎ (of an animal) scratch at something with its claws: a dog was scrabbling at the door. ∎ make great efforts to get somewhere or achieve something: I had to scrabble around to find this apartment.• n. 1. an act of scratching or scrambling for something: he heard the scrabble of claws behind him. ∎ a struggle to get somewhere or achieve something: a scrabble among the salesmen to avoid going to the bottom of the heap.2. (Scrabble) trademark a board game in which players use lettered tiles to create words in a crossword fashion.DERIVATIVES: scrab·bler n.
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scrabble
