scuttle

Meanings

Noun

• A container like an open bucket (usually to hold and carry coal).
• A broad, shallow basket.
• A dish, platter or a trencher.
• A small hatch or opening in a boat. Also, small opening in a boat or ship for draining water from open deck.
• A hatch that provides access to the roof from the interior of a building.
• A quick pace; a short run.

Verb

• To cut a hole or holes through the bottom, deck, or sides of (as of a ship), for any purpose.
• To deliberately sink one's ship or boat by any means, usually by order of the vessel's commander or owner.
• To undermine or thwart oneself or one's position or property, especially deliberately.
• To move hastily, to scurry.

Related

Similar words

• roof hatch

Origin

• From Middle English scuttel, scutel, from Old English scutel ("dish, platter"), from Latin scutella, diminutive form of Latin scutra, perhaps related to Latin scutum; compare Dutch schotel and German Schüssel.
• Borrowed from Middle French escoutille (compare French écoutille), from Old Norse skaut, or alternatively from Spanish escotilla, ultimately from Gothic 𐍃𐌺𐌰𐌿𐍄𐍃 ("projecting edge, fringe"), from Proto-Germanic *skautaz. Compare German Schoß, Old English sċēat. More at sheet.
• See scuddle.