scallop
[skol-uh p, skal-]
- any of the bivalve mollusks of the genus Argopecten (Pecten) and related genera that swim by rapidly clapping the fluted shell valves together.
- the adductor muscle of certain species of such mollusks, used as food.
- one of the shells of such a mollusk, usually having radial ribs and a wavy outer edge.
- a scallop shell or a dish in which food, especially seafood, is baked and served.
- Cookery. a thin slice of meat, usually further flattened by pounding with a mallet or other implement.
- any of a series of curved projections cut along the edge, as of a fabric.
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- to finish (an edge) with scallops.
- Cookery. to escallop.
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- to dredge for scallops.
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Also scollop.
Origin of scallop
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
clamcrustaceanmollusksnailscallopconchcrawfishprawnshrimplobstermusseloysterincisionindentationtrenchscrunchpuckerbucklewrithecurveExamples from the Web for scallop
Contemporary Examples
“That scallop dish is just a raw scallop with a grilled cucumber and cucumber vinaigrette,” said McGarry.
Scallop Ceviche by Alice Waters The woman behind Chez Panisse serves up a wonderful seafood summer salad.
Historical Examples
Grease some scallop shells, and sprinkle them with bread-crumbs.
The Skilful CookMary Harrison
Put it into scallop shells or saucers, making them three parts full, and fill them up with potatoes, mashed with a little cream.
Put the mince into scallop shells or saucers three parts full, and fill them up with potatoes, mashed with a little cream.
Put it into scallop shells, and fill them up with grated bread; over which put a little butter, and brown them before the fire.
Who's this coming up the path with his eyes all round him like a scallop?
The ManxmanHall Caine
scallop
- any of various marine bivalves of the family Pectinidae, having a fluted fan-shaped shell: includes free-swimming species (genus Pecten) and species attached to a substratum (genus Chlamys)See also pecten (def. 3)
- the edible adductor muscle of certain of these molluscs
- either of the shell valves of any of these molluscs
- a scallop shell or similarly shaped dish, in which fish, esp shellfish, is cooked and served
- one of a series of curves along an edge, esp an edge of cloth
- the shape of a scallop shell used as the badge of a pilgrim, esp in the Middle Ages
- mainly Australian a potato cake fried in batter
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- (tr) to decorate (an edge) with scallops
- to bake (food) in a scallop shell or similar dish
- (intr) to collect scallops
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French escalope shell, of Germanic origin; see scalp
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for scallop
n.
"bivalve mollusk," c.1400, from Old French escalope "shell (of a nut), carpace," variant of eschalope, probably from a Germanic source (cf. Old Norse skalpr "sheath," Middle Dutch schelpe "shell"); see scale (n.1). The shells of the larger species have been used as domestic utensils. Extended 17c. to objects shaped like scallop shells, especially in design and dress. The verb in the cookery sense, "to bake with sauce in a scallop shell-shaped pan," is attested from 1737. Related: Scalloped; scalloping.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper