scrimshaw
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scrimshaw¹
- /ˈskɹɪmʃɔː/ UK
- /ˈskɹɪmˌʃɔ/ US
- /-ˌʃɑ/ US
Where it comes from
The origin of the verb is unknown, but it has possibly been influenced by the surname Scrimshaw. Various etymologies have been proposed (for example, that it derives from scrimshank (“(Britain, military slang) to be idle, to shirk duty”)), but the Oxford English Dictionary does not consider any of them convincing. Following the surname theory, Etymonline ultimately derives the word probably from Old French escremisseor (“fencing-master”).
The noun is probably derived from the verb.
verb scrimshaws · scrimshawing · scrimshawed
- To create (a small ornamental handicraft also called a scrimshaw) by carving or engraving on bone (originally whalebone or whales' teeth), ivory, or other materials.
- To carve or engrave (bone, ivory, or other materials) with ornamental designs.
- To carve or engrave (ornamental designs) on bone, ivory, or other materials.
- To make a handicraft of scrimshaw.
noun scrimshaws
-
A small ornamental handicraft created by carving or engraving bone (originally whalebone or whales' teeth), ivory, or other materials, formerly produced by sailors on whaling ships to pass the time on long voyages.
Rooney got his skull exposed, doggone it
Soon he's gonna get scrimshaw carved on it
Similar: scrimshander, scrimshandy
-
The manufacture of small ornamental handicrafts by carving or engraving bone, ivory, or other materials, formerly by sailors on whaling ships to pass the time on long voyages.
Similar: scrimshander, scrimshandering
Scrimshaw²
proper noun
- A surname.
Translations
Every language
verb to make a handicraft of scrimshaw
| Português | entalhar, talhar |
|---|---|
| Русский | вырезать из раковины vyrezatʹ iz rakoviny, вырезать из слоновой кости vyrezatʹ iz slonovoj kosti |
Talk about this word "scrimshaw." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/scrimshaw. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. scrimshaw. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/scrimshaw "scrimshaw." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/scrimshaw.Cite this
@misc{scrimshaw_2026,
title = {scrimshaw},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/scrimshaw},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
