scuttle — to move quickly with short hurried steps
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to move quickly with short hurried steps
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈskʌtəl/
Example Sentences
- The mouse scuttled under the couch when it saw the cat approaching
- My diet plans were completely scuttled when I discovered the chocolate cake in the fridge
- The pirates decided to scuttle their own ship rather than let the navy capture it
scuttle
VERB[/ˈskʌtəl/]
to move quickly with short hurried steps
The crabs scuttle sideways across the wet sand as the wave rushes in.
The crab scuttles as the shuttle rises subtle!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Scuttle derives from Middle English 'scuttell', which came from Latin 'scutella' meaning 'small platter' or 'basket'. The sense of deliberately sinking a ship emerged in the 16th century, likely from the notion of making holes (like a basket's openings) in a vessel's hull.
Breakdown
Latin 'scutella' (small dish, diminutive of 'scuta') → Middle English 'scuttell' → Modern English 'scuttle'. The ship-sinking sense developed from the literal image of creating openings in a vessel's structure.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The mouse scuttled under the couch when it saw the cat approaching”
“My diet plans were completely scuttled when I discovered the chocolate cake in the fridge”
“The pirates decided to scuttle their own ship rather than let the navy capture it”
“She scuttled to the bathroom during the boring meeting, hoping no one would notice”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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