scrambler
Noun: 1. A device that encodes a signal, especially speech, to make it unintelligible during transmission, requiring a corresponding device to decode it for reception. This meaning refers specifically to electronic communication security. 2. A type of motorcycle designed for off-road use, characterized by rugged tires, long-travel suspension, and an upright riding position. It is built for riding on unpaved, rough, or mixed terrain. 3. A person who moves quickly and in a hurried, disorderly manner, often using their hands for balance or support. This can refer to an athlete, like a quarterback in American football, who evades defenders by running erratically. 4. In sports like tennis or cricket, a player who employs an aggressive, unpredictable, and often unorthodox style of play. This style can disrupt the rhythm of a more technically skilled opponent.
- Electronic Device:
- The military uses a scrambler to ensure their radio communications remain secure.
- Before the sensitive call, he activated the voice scrambler on his phone.
- Motorcycle:
- He traded his sport bike for a scrambler to better explore the forest trails.
- The classic scrambler design features high-mounted exhaust pipes.
- Person (Rapid Mover):
- The quarterback was known as an excellent scrambler, often turning broken plays into gains.
- We watched the scramblers climb quickly up the rocky hillside.
- Person (Sports Player):
- As a scrambler, she wins points through sheer determination and unpredictable shots.
- Their scrambler at the net unnerved the tournament favorite.
- "to put a scrambler on a line": To install or activate an encryption device on a communication channel.
- For the confidential negotiation, they decided to put a scrambler on the line.
- Scramble (verb): To move quickly and with difficulty, often using the hands; to mix or encrypt signals; to gather or collect something in a hurried manner.
- She had to scramble over the boulders. The pilot scrambled the radar signature.
- Scrambling (noun/gerund): The act of moving or climbing quickly over rough ground; the process of encrypting signals.
- The scrambling required for the hike was challenging. Data scrambling is essential for privacy.
- For Device: Encryptor, cipher device, encoder.
- For Motorcycle: Dual-sport, enduro (note: these are closely related but distinct subtypes).
- For Person (Mover): Climber, clamberer, rusher.
- For Person (Player): Fighter, hustler, grinder (sports slang).
- Scramble for: To struggle or compete with others to obtain something.
- There was a mad scramble for the best seats.
- Scrambled eggs (idiom): Slang for the ornate gold braid on a military officer's uniform cap.
- The general's hat was adorned with "scrambled eggs".
- To scramble someone's brains: To confuse someone thoroughly.
- That complicated math problem completely scrambled my brains.
- electronic equipment that makes speech unintelligible during transmission and restores it at reception
- a lightweight motorcycle equipped with rugged tires and suspension; an off-road motorcycle designed for riding cross country or over unpaved ground
- a rapid mover; someone who scrambles
- their quarterback was a good scrambler
- scramblers can often unnerve a better tennis player