Definition of: scrimmage

(skrim′ij) noun
1. A rough–and–tumble contest; fracas; formerly, a skirmish.
2. In American football, a mass play from the line of scrimmage after the ball has been placed on the ground and snapped back, the play ending when the ball is dead.
3. In Rugby football, a scrummage.
—line of scrimmage In football, the hypothetic line, parallel to the goal lines, on which the ball rests and along which the opposing linemen take position at the start of play.
—v.t. & v.i. ·maged, ·mag·ing To engage in a scrimmage. Also spelled scrummage. [Alter. of scrimish, var. of SKIRMISH]