scrabble

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun an aimless drawing
noun a board game in which words are formed from letters in patterns similar to a crossword puzzle; each letter has a value and those values are used to score the game
verb feel searchingly

From Middle Dutch schrabbelen, frequentative of schrabben (“to scrape”), equivalent to scrab + -le. More at scrape.

SKIPPY OF SCRABBLE ALLEY Skippy was at home in Scrabble Alley. — Children of the Tenements, Jacob A. (Jacob August) Riis
Like all other people, he makes a special virtue of his own natural tendencies, and wants all the world to "get busy"; it doesn't so much matter to what end this business is to be conducted, provided the individual--scrabbles. — Selected Works of Voltairine de Cleyre, Voltairine De Cleyre
So Meg went away to "accept with thanks," look over her dress, and sing blithely as she did up her one real lace frill; while Jo finished her story, her four apples, and had a game of romps with Scrabble. — Little Women; Or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, Louisa May Alcott

scribble, doodle

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