Crossword clues for scrimshaw
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Scrimshaw \Scrim"shaw`\, v. t. To ornament, as shells, ivory, etc., by engraving, and (usually) rubbing pigments into the incised lines. [Sailor's cant. U.S.]
Scrimshaw \Scrim"shaw`\, n. A shell, a whale's tooth, or the like, that is scrimshawed.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
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."
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context uncountable English) The manufacture of handicrafts by sailors on long voyages, especially as whittled from wood or bone. 2 (context countable English) An item produced by scrimshaw. vb. To make an item of scrimshaw.
WordNet
n. a carving (or engraving) on whalebone, whale ivory, walrus tusk, etc., usually by American whalers
Wikipedia
Scrimshaw is the name given to scrollwork, engravings, and carvings done in bone or ivory. Typically it refers to the handiwork created by whalers made from the byproducts of harvesting marine mammals. It is most commonly made out of the bones and teeth of sperm whales, the baleen of other whales, and the tusks of walruses. It takes the form of elaborate engravings in the form of pictures and lettering on the surface of the bone or tooth, with the engraving highlighted using a pigment, or, less often, small sculptures made from the same material. However the latter really fall into the categories of ivory carving, for all carved teeth and tusks, or bone carving. The making of scrimshaw began on whaling ships between 1745 and 1759 on the Pacific Ocean, and survived until the ban on commercial whaling. The practice survives as a hobby and as a trade for commercial artisans. A maker of scrimshaw is known as a scrimshander. The word first appeared in print in the early 19th century, but the etymology is uncertain.
Scrimshaw is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
- Charlie Scrimshaw (1909–1973), English footballer
- Joseph Scrimshaw, American comedian
- Nevin S. Scrimshaw (1918–2013), American food scientist
- Sandelle D. Scrimshaw, Canadian diplomat
- Stan Scrimshaw (1915–1988), English footballer
Fictional characters:
- A character in the film Innerspace
Usage examples of "scrimshaw".
But Henry Scrimshaw is known in every bar where journalists hang out, from Chungking to Addis Ababa, from Guadalajara to Warsaw.
Peter Colfax came over to the table where the two of them were sitting and waited while Scrimshaw made the formal introductions.
Holding a pigskin glove in his left hand, he nodded to Scrimshaw and extended his hand to Morse.
He just asks Scrimshaw a couple of questions and makes him look like a jerk.
Australian writer named Henry Scrimshaw is doing a big story on MM for us.
Henry Scrimshaw who, having arrived mysteriously and attached himself to the party without permission, grinned at Madigan and nodded.
Henry Scrimshaw, who had gate-crashed the party, was alone on the back seat, smoking his evil-smelling pipe.
Madigan made his way towards him and Scrimshaw gathered the skirt of his old tweed overcoat and moved aside to make room.
A few refills of scotch would probably mellow him, and Madigan was confident that a friendly chat near the log fire with a bottle close by would calm Scrimshaw down and convince him to wait for an official pass.
Captain Madigan had made sure that all the Americans had refreshments, and had answered questions about everything from drinking British tap water to how many pennies there were in a shilling, Scrimshaw was nowhere to be seen.
Henry Scrimshaw by name, or say that he played an occasional game of billiards with him.
This was where the major merchant caravans from Luskan put in, where the dwarves came to trade, and where the vast majority of craftsman, scrimshanders, and scrimshaw evaluators, were housed.
Bryn Shander that his unique style and cut gave his scrimshaw a special artistic and aesthetic worth.
She lifted the chunk of scrimshaw and dove and glided it about the air.
Ami sat down and picked up a tiny scrimshaw piece carved into the likeness of a handsome girl.