scrimshaw (redirected from scrimshaws)

scrim·shaw  (skrmshô)

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.

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[Probably from scrimshander.]

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scrimshaw [ˈskrɪmˌʃɔː]

n

1. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Crafts) the art of decorating or carving shells, ivory, etc., done by sailors as a leisure activity

2. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Crafts)

a.  an article made in this manner

b.  such articles collectively

vb

(Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Crafts) to produce scrimshaw (from)

[origin uncertain, perhaps after a surname]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

scrimshaw - a carving (or engraving) on whalebone, whale ivory, walrus tusk, etc., usually by American whalers carving - a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape