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scrimmage - 4 dictionary results

scrim⋅mage

  [skrim-ij] noun, verb, -maged, -mag⋅ing.
Use scrimmage in a Sentence
–noun
1. a rough or vigorous struggle.
2. Football.
a. the action that takes place between the teams from the moment the ball is snapped until it is declared dead. Compare line of scrimmage.
b. a practice session or informal game, as that played between two units of the same team.
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
3. to engage in a scrimmage.
Origin:
1425–75; late ME, var. of scrimish, metathetic form of skirmish

Related forms:
scrim⋅mag⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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scrim·mage   (skrĭm'ĭj)   
n.  
  1. Football The contest between two teams from the time the ball is snapped until it is declared dead.
  2. Sports A practice session or informal game, as between two units of the same team.
    1. A rough-and-tumble struggle; a tussle.
    2. A skirmish.
intr.v.   scrim·maged, scrim·mag·ing, scrim·mag·es Sports
To engage in a scrimmage.

[Middle English, alteration of skirmisshe, scrimish; see skirmish.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Scrimmage

Scrim"mage\ (?; 48), n. [A corruption of skirmish. "Sore scrymmishe." --Ld. Berners.]] [Written also scrummage.]

1. Formerly, a skirmish; now, a general row or confused fight or struggle.

2. (Football) The struggle in the rush lines after the ball is put in play.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : scrimmage
Spanish: melé,
German: die Scrimmage,
Japanese: （アメフトの）スクリメッジ
More Translations »

scrimmage 
c.1470, alteration of skirmish (q.v.). The verb is recorded from 1825. Meaning in rugby and U.S. football dates from 1857, originally "a confused struggle between players."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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