scram
1[ skram ]
/ skræm /
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verb (used without object), scrammed, scram·ming.Informal.
to go away; get out (usually used as a command): I said I was busy, so scram.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of scram
11925–30; probably shortened form of scramble (but compare German schramm, imperative singular of schrammen to depart)
Words nearby scram
scrabble, scrabbly, scrag, scraggly, scraggy, scram, scramasax, scramb, scramble, scrambled egg, scrambled eggs
Definition for scram (2 of 2)
scram2
[ skram ]
/ skræm /
noun
the rapid shutdown of a nuclear reactor in an emergency.
verb (used with object)
to shut down (a nuclear reactor) rapidly in an emergency.
Origin of scram
21945–50; perhaps identical with scram1, though sense development is unclear
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for scram
British Dictionary definitions for scram (1 of 2)
scram1
/ (skræm) /
verb scrams, scramming or scrammed
(intr; often imperative) informal to go away hastily; get out
Word Origin for scram
C20: shortened from scramble
British Dictionary definitions for scram (2 of 2)
scram2
/ (skræm) /
noun
an emergency shutdown of a nuclear reactor
verb
(of a nuclear reactor) to shut down or be shut down in an emergency
Word Origin for scram
C20: perhaps from scram 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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