GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 5 definitions

  1.       
    Scuttle (?), n. [AS. scutel a dish, platter; cf. Icel. skutill; both fr. L. scutella, dim. of scutra, scuta, a dish or platter; cf. scutum a shield.  Cf. Skillet.]
    1. A broad, shallow basket.

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    2. A wide-mouthed vessel for holding coal: a coal hod.

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  2.       
    Scuttle, v. i. [For scuddle, fr. scud.] To run with affected precipitation; to hurry; to bustle; to scuddle.

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    With the first dawn of day, old Janet was scuttling about the house to wake the baron. Sir W. Scott.

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  3.       
    Scuttle, n. A quick pace; a short run.  Spectator.

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  4.       
    Scuttle (skŭtˈt'l), n. [OF. escoutille, F. éscoutille, cf. Sp. escotilla; probably akin to Sp. escotar to cut a thing so as to make it fit, to hollow a garment about the neck, perhaps originally, to cut a bosom-shaped piece out, and of Teutonic origin; cf. D. schoot lap, bosom, G. schoss, Goth. skauts the hem of a garnment.  Cf. Sheet an expanse.]
    1. A small opening in an outside wall or covering, furnished with a lid. Specifically: (a) (Naut.) A small opening or hatchway in the deck of a ship, large enough to admit a man, and with a lid for covering it, also, a like hole in the side or bottom of a ship. (b) An opening in the roof of a house, with a lid.

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    2. The lid or door which covers or closes an opening in a roof, wall, or the like.

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    Scuttle butt, or Scuttle cask (Naut.), a butt or cask with a large hole in it, used to contain the fresh water for daily use in a ship. Totten.

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  5.       
    Scuttle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scuttled (skŭtˈt'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Scuttling.]
    1. To cut a hole or holes through the bottom, deck, or sides of (as of a ship), for any purpose.

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    2. To sink by making holes through the bottom of; as, “to scuttle a ship”.

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    3. Hence: To defeat, frustrate, abandon, or cause to be abandoned; -- of plans, projects, actions, hopes; as, “the review committee scuttled the project due to lack of funds”.

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