Shamble \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.
Shamble \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.