scrimshaw
Americannoun
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a carved or engraved article, especially of whale ivory, whalebone, walrus tusks, or the like, made by whalers as a leisure occupation.
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such articles or work collectively.
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the art or technique of carving or engraving whale ivory, whalebone, walrus tusks, etc.
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
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the art of decorating or carving shells, ivory, etc, done by sailors as a leisure activity
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an article made in this manner
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such articles collectively
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verb
Etymology
Origin of scrimshaw
First recorded in 1860–65; of obscure origin
Explanation
If you've ever visited a maritime or nautical museum, you've probably seen examples of scrimshaw, artwork that's made by engraving designs and pictures in a piece of whalebone. Back in the day before sailors had iPods they often passed the time at sea by carving. Scrimshaw is the name for the articles they made, typically of whalebone, shells, or tusks, starting in the mid-1700's. The word's origins are still in the to do column of etymologists; all of the earliest citations are American. Someone who makes scrimshaw is called a scrimshander.
Vocabulary lists containing scrimshaw
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
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Little Fires Everywhere
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Shouting at the Rain
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly chambers, adorned with antlers and a scrimshaw walrus tusk, served as the nerve center for the search with Clement Sr. acting as spokesperson.
From Salon • Nov. 15, 2023
Try your hand at scrimshaw, candle making, leatherwork, tinsmithing, felting and more.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2022
Its centerpiece is more than 200 works of painstakingly hand-drawn scrimshaw that Riley has spent three years making.
From New York Times • Jun. 16, 2022
Her paintings are worked over and meticulous, condensing the artist’s labor — and that of those who assist her — into something like scrimshaw, needlework or the lattice stone screens of Mughal architecture.
From Washington Post • Jul. 6, 2021
Lavinia slipped out her pistol, a wicked-looking thing with a scrimshaw grip.
From "The Reader" by Traci Chee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
