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scuttlebutt

 - 2 dictionary results

scut⋅tle⋅butt

[skuht-l-buht]
–noun
1. Nautical.
a. an open cask of drinking water.
b. a drinking fountain for use by the crew of a vessel.
2. Informal. rumor or gossip.

Origin:
1795–1805; 1900–05 for def. 2; scuttle 3 + butt 4
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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scut·tle·butt   (skŭt'l-bŭt')   
n.  
  1. Slang Gossip; rumor.

  2. Nautical

    1. A drinking fountain on a ship.

    2. A cask on a ship used to hold the day's supply of drinking water.


[scuttle1 + butt5.]
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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