Scrimshaw

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.]
     [1913 Webster]



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Scrimshaw \Scrim"shaw`\, n.
     A shell, a whale's tooth, or the like, that is scrimshawed.
     [Sailor's cant, U.S.]
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  scrimshaw
       n : a carving (or engraving) on whalebone, whale ivory, walrus
           tusk, etc., usually by American whalers