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SCRIMSHAW

 - 3 dictionary results

scrim⋅shaw

[skrim-shaw]
–noun
1. a carved or engraved article, esp. of whale ivory, whalebone, walrus tusks, or the like, made by whalers as a leisure occupation.
2. such articles or work collectively.
3. the art or technique of carving or engraving whale ivory, whalebone, walrus tusks, etc.
–verb (used without object)
4. to produce scrimshaw.
–verb (used with object)
5. to carve or engrave (whale ivory or whalebone) into scrimshaw.

Origin:
1860–65; of obscure orig.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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scrim·shaw   (skrĭm'shô')   
n.   pl. scrimshaw or scrim·shaws
  1. The art of carving or incising intricate designs on whalebone or whale ivory.

  2. A decorative article made by this art.

v.   scrim·shawed, scrim·shaw·ing, scrim·shaws

tr. & intr.v.  To decorate (whale ivory or whalebone) with intricate carvings or designs or make such designs.

[Probably from scrimshander.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

scrimshaw 
1864, back-formation from scrimshander ("Moby Dick," 1851), scrimshonting (1825), Amer.Eng. nautical word, of unknown origin. Scrimshaw is an Eng. surname, attested from 1154, from O.Fr. escremisseor "fencing-master."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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