jumble

present singular third person jumbles · participle present jumbling · participle past jumbled · past jumbled

1. transitiveTo mix or confuse.

   Every clime and age jumbled together.

   1847, Alfred Tennyson, “Prologue”, in The Princess: A Medley, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   Why dost thou blend and jumble such inconsistencies together?

   a. 1678 (date written), Isaac Barrow, “(please specify the chapter name or sermon number)”, in The Works of Dr. Isaac Barrow. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: A[braham] J[ohn] Valpy, […], published 1830–1831, →OCLC

2. intransitiveTo meet or unite in a confused way.

   I tried to study, but in my half-awake state, all of the concepts seemed to jumble together.

plural jumbles

1. countableuncountableA mixture of often unrelated things.

   My thoughts were all in a jumble.

   3 more examples

   His voice was rich and mellow and he had so long been thoroughly persuaded of the weight and import to mankind of any word he said that his words really had come to sound as if there were something in them. But now he can only whisper, and what he whispers sounds like what it is—mere jumble and jargon.

   1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC

   The bufferbeam is another factor that must be carefully considered. The buffing and coupling centre is 3ft 5½in above rail level and the beam carries not only buffers and drawgear but a jumble of train connections such as jumpers and pipes.

   1961 May, B. A. Haresnape, “Design on the railway: Part Three”, in Trains Illustrated, page 301

   The newspaper letters, all capitals, made up a jumble of typefaces.

   2017, David Stout, A Child is Missing

2. UKuncountableItems for a rummage sale.

   Hire a stall at a fair or sell your wares at a car boot sale. Adjust your jumble's price to something very reasonable and attractive for people to buy. Your income will depend on the quality and quantity of the jumble […]

   2014, Ben Isacat, How to Do Animal Rights, page 110

3. UKcountableinformalA rummage sale.

   "That's a nice coat," said Bella. "I used to have one like that. Got it at a jumble. But it didn't suit me. You look great in it."

   1982, Hunter Davies, Flossie Teacake's Fur Coat

plural jumbles · alternative jumbal · alternative jumball

1. archaicA small, thin, sugared cake, usually ring-shaped.