Skuttles

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To move quickly with short, rapid movements, often associated with a scurrying manner
2. To cause something to move swiftly in a frantic or erratic manner
3. To make a hurried retreat or escape, typically with a sense of urgency

Etymology: "Skuttles" is the third-person singular present form of "skuttle", so its history is the history of that verb. The verb is a variant of "scuttle", meaning to move or run with quick, hurried, scurrying steps. The "sk" spelling is the older and more regional form, and "scuttle" and "skuttle" share the same root, so the two spellings describe the same action. The word's connection to speed and haste is what gives it its current sense of stirring something up in a frantic, erratic way. The verb's movement sense comes first, and the causative use, where something is made to dash about, grew out of it. The word is a plain verb with no separate story attached to it.

Synonyms: scurries, scuttles away

Antonyms: stays, remains