\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.

\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.