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tussle

 - 3 dictionary results

tus⋅sle

[tuhs-uhl] verb, -sled, -sling, noun
–verb (used without object)
1. to struggle or fight roughly or vigorously; wrestle; scuffle.
–noun
2. a rough physical contest or struggle; scuffle.
3. any vigorous or determined struggle, conflict, etc.: I had quite a tussle with that chemistry exam.

Origin:
1425–75; late ME (north and Scots) tusillen, deriv. (see -le ) of tusen to touse
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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tus·sle   (tŭs'əl)   
intr.v.   tus·sled, tus·sling, tus·sles
To struggle roughly; scuffle.
n.  A rough or vigorous struggle; a scuffle.

[Middle English tussillen, frequentative of -tousen, to pull roughly.]
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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Word Origin & History

tussle  (v.)
c.1470, Scottish and northern English variant of touselen (see tousle). The noun is first recorded 1629 but rare before 19c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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