1. A contention or trial of strength between two persons, who embrace each other's bodies; a struggle with close embrace, to decide which shall throw the other; in distinction from from wrestling, which is a trial of strength and dexterity at arm's lenght. Among our common people, it is not unusual for two persons to commence a contest by wrestling, and at last close in, as it is called, and decide the contest by a scuffle.
2. A confused contest; a tumultuous struggle for victory or superiority; a fight.
The dog leaps upon the serpent and tears it to pieces; but in the scuffle, the cradle happened to be overturned. L' Estrange. SCUF'FLE
, v.i.
1. To strive or struggle with close embrace, as two men or boys,
2. To strive or contend tumultuously, as small parties.
A gallant man prefers to fight to great disadvantages in the field, in an orderly way, rather than to scuffle with an undisciplined rabble. K. Charles.
