n. [ OF. cultel, coltel, coutel, fr. L. cultellus. See Cutlass. ] A knife. [ Obs. ] Bale. [ 1913 Webster ]

The shell or bone of cuttlefishes, used for various purposes, as for making polishing powder, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ OE. codule, AS. cudele; akin to G. kuttelfish; cf. G. kötel, D. keutel, dirt from the guts, G. kuttel bowels, entrails. AS. cwiþ womb, Goth. qiþus belly, womb. ] 1. (Zool.) A cephalopod of the genus Sepia, having an internal shell, large eyes, and ten arms furnished with denticulated suckers, by means of which it secures its prey. The name is sometimes applied to dibranchiate cephalopods generally. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ It has an ink bag, opening into the siphon, from which, when pursued, it throws out a dark liquid that clouds the water, enabling it to escape observation. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A foul-mouthed fellow. “An you play the saucy cuttle with me.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. escoutille, F. éscoutille, cf. Sp. escotilla; probably akin to Sp. escotar to cut a thing so as to make it fit, to hollow a garment about the neck, perhaps originally, to cut a bosom-shaped piece out, and of Teutonic origin; cf. D. schoot lap, bosom, G. schoss, Goth. skauts the hem of a garnment. Cf. Sheet an expanse. ] 1. A small opening in an outside wall or covering, furnished with a lid. Specifically: (a) (Naut.) A small opening or hatchway in the deck of a ship, large enough to admit a man, and with a lid for covering it, also, a like hole in the side or bottom of a ship. (b) An opening in the roof of a house, with a lid. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The lid or door which covers or closes an opening in a roof, wall, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

Scuttle butt, or
Scuttle cask (Naut.), a butt or cask with a large hole in it, used to contain the fresh water for daily use in a ship. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Scuttled p. pr. & vb. n. Scuttling. ] 1. To cut a hole or holes through the bottom, deck, or sides of (as of a ship), for any purpose. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To sink by making holes through the bottom of; as, to scuttle a ship. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence: To defeat, frustrate, abandon, or cause to be abandoned; -- of plans, projects, actions, hopes; as, the review committee scuttled the project due to lack of funds. [ PJC ]

v. i. [ For scuddle, fr. scud. ] To run with affected precipitation; to hurry; to bustle; to scuddle. [ 1913 Webster ]

With the first dawn of day, old Janet was scuttling about the house to wake the baron. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. scutel a dish, platter; cf. Icel. skutill; both fr. L. scutella, dim. of scutra, scuta, a dish or platter; cf. scutum a shield. Cf. Skillet. ] 1. A broad, shallow basket. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A wide-mouthed vessel for holding coal: a coal hod. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A quick pace; a short run. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. See scuttle butt. [ PJC ]

2. A drinking fountain on board a ship or at a naval station. [ PJC ]

3. The latest gossip; rumors. [ PJC ]