scrimshaw
pronunciation
How to pronounce scrimshaw in British English: UK ['skrɪmʃɔː]
How to pronounce scrimshaw in American English: US ['skrɪmʃɔ]
-
- Noun:
- a carving (or engraving) on whalebone, whale ivory, walrus tusk, etc., usually by American whalers
Word Origin
- scrimshaw (n.)
- 1864, "A nautical word of unstable orthography" [Century Dictionary], back-formation from scrimshander ("Moby Dick," 1851), scrimshonting (1825), American English, of unknown origin. Scrimshaw is an English surname, attested from mid-12c., from Old French escremisseor "fencing-master."
Example
- 1. The guy in the truck was scrimshaw , right ?