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Grapple vs Scuffle - What's the difference?

grapple | scuffle |

In intransitive terms the difference between grapple and scuffle

is that grapple is to wrestle or tussle while scuffle is to walk with a shuffling gait.

As verbs the difference between grapple and scuffle

is that grapple is to seize something and hold it firmly while scuffle is to fight or struggle confusedly at close quarters.

As nouns the difference between grapple and scuffle

is that grapple is a device consisting of iron claws, attached to the end of a rope, used for grasping and holding an enemy ship prior to boarding; a grapnel or grappling iron while scuffle is a rough disorderly fight or struggle at close quarters.

grapple

English

(wikipedia grapple)

Alternative forms

* (l) (obsolete)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) (see below). More at (l).

Verb

(grappl)
  • To seize something and hold it firmly.
  • (figuratively) to ponder and intensely evaluate a problem; normally used with "with".
  • * to grapple''' with one's '''conscience
  • To use a grapple.
  • To wrestle or tussle.
  • To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly.
  • * Hakluyt
    • The gallies were grappled to the Centurion.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) . More at (l).

    Noun

  • (nautical) A device consisting of iron claws, attached to the end of a rope, used for grasping and holding an enemy ship prior to boarding; a grapnel or grappling iron.
  • (uncountable) The act of grappling.
  • A close hand-to-hand struggle.

    • scuffle

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A rough disorderly fight or struggle at close quarters
  • * L'Estrange
    • The dog leaps upon the serpent, and tears it to pieces; but in the scuffle the cradle happened to be overturned.
  • A Dutch hoe, manipulated by both pushing and pulling
  • (archaic) A child's pinafore or bib.

    • Synonyms

    * (Dutch hoe) scuffle hoe

    Verb

    (scuffl)
  • To fight or struggle confusedly at close quarters.
  • * Eikon Basilike
    • A gallant man had rather fight to great disadvantage in the field, in an orderly way, than scuffle with an undisciplined rabble.
  • To walk with a shuffling gait.
  • (slang) To make a living with difficulty, getting by on a low income, to struggle financially.