Sham"ble (?), n. [OE. schamel a bench, stool, AS. scamel, sceamol, a bench, form, stool, fr. L. scamellum, dim. of scamnum a bench, stool.]
1. Mining
One of a succession of niches or platforms, one above another, to hold ore which is thrown successively from platform to platform, and thus raised to a higher level.
2. pl.
A place where butcher's meat is sold.
As summer flies are in the shambles.
Shak.
3. pl.
A place for slaughtering animals for meat.
To make a shambles of the parliament house.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Sham"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shambled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Shambling (?).] [Cf. OD. schampelen to slip, schampen to slip away, escape. Cf. Scamble, Scamper.]
To walk awkwardly and unsteadily, as if the knees were weak; to shuffle along.
© Webster 1913.