scuttle
1[ skuht-l ]
/ ˈskʌt l /
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noun
Nautical.
- a small hatch or port in the deck, side, or bottom of a vessel.
- a cover for this.
a small hatchlike opening in a roof or ceiling.
verb (used with object), scut·tled, scut·tling.
to sink (a vessel) deliberately by opening seacocks or making openings in the bottom.
to abandon, withdraw from, or cause to be abandoned or destroyed (as plans, hopes, rumors, etc.).
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Origin of scuttle
1First recorded in 1490–1500; of obscure origin; perhaps from Middle French escoutille, or from Spanish escotilla “hatchway,” equivalent to escot(e) “a cutting of cloth” + -illa diminutive suffix; of Germanic origin; compare Gothic skaut “hem, seam”); see also sheet1)
Words nearby scuttle
scutellate, scutellation, scutellum, scutiform, scutter, scuttle, scuttlebutt, scutular, scutulum, scutum, scutwork
Definition for scuttle (2 of 3)
scuttle2
[ skuht-l ]
/ ˈskʌt l /
verb (used without object), scut·tled, scut·tling.
to run with quick, hasty steps; scurry.
noun
a quick pace.
a short, hurried run.
Origin of scuttle
2First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English scottlynge “scampering” (gerund), variant of scuddle, frequentative of scud1
Definition for scuttle (3 of 3)
scuttle3
[ skuht-l ]
/ ˈskʌt l /
noun
a deep bucket for carrying coal.
British Dialect. a broad, shallow basket.
Origin of scuttle
3First recorded in before 1050; Middle English scutel(le), scuttel “dish, basket, winnowing fan,” Old English scutel “dish, trencher, platter,” from Latin scutella, diminutive of scutra “shallow dish, pan”
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use scuttle in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for scuttle (1 of 3)
scuttle1
/ (ˈskʌtəl) /
noun
See coal scuttle
dialect, mainly British a shallow basket, esp for carrying vegetables
the part of a motor-car body lying immediately behind the bonnet
Word Origin for scuttle
Old English scutel trencher, from Latin scutella bowl, diminutive of scutra platter; related to Old Norse skutill, Old High German scuzzila, perhaps to Latin scūtum shield
British Dictionary definitions for scuttle (2 of 3)
scuttle2
/ (ˈskʌtəl) /
verb
(intr) to run or move about with short hasty steps
noun
a hurried pace or run
Word Origin for scuttle
C15: perhaps from scud, influenced by shuttle
British Dictionary definitions for scuttle (3 of 3)
scuttle3
/ (ˈskʌtəl) /
verb
(tr) nautical to cause (a vessel) to sink by opening the seacocks or making holes in the bottom
(tr) to give up (hopes, plans, etc)
noun
nautical a small hatch or its cover
Word Origin for scuttle
C15 (n): via Old French from Spanish escotilla a small opening, from escote opening in a piece of cloth, from escotar to cut out
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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