scrambler

[ skram-bler ]

noun

1. a person or thing that scrambles.
2. an electronic device that mixes and confuses telecommunications signals in order to make them unintelligible through certain circuits. Compare unscrambler ( def 2 ).

scrambler

/ ˈskræmblə /

noun

1. a plant that produces long weak shoots by which it grows over other plants
2. an electronic device that renders speech unintelligible during transmission, normal speech being restored at the receiving system

scrambler

/ skrăm′blər /

1. An electronic device that scrambles telecommunication signals to make them unintelligible to anyone without a special receiver.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrambler¹

First recorded in 1680–90; scramble + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Don knelt and fished from under the other's left arm a vicious-looking short-barrelled scrambler.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the tragic side of the scrambler's career, the shadow thrown by almost every one of the class.

From Project Gutenberg

"They won't scan through this scrambler, sir," asserted the young officer.

From Project Gutenberg

“The speech scrambler is an electric circuit which automatically transposes voice frequencies,” the Commodore resumed.

From Project Gutenberg

Dan gulped the last of his coffee, and found a visi-phone booth with a scrambler in working order.

From Project Gutenberg

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