scallop

[ skol-uhp, skal- ]

noun

1. any of the bivalve mollusks of the genus Argopecten ( Pecten ) and related genera that swim by rapidly clapping the fluted shell valves together.
2. the adductor muscle of certain species of such mollusks, used as food.
3. one of the shells of such a mollusk, usually having radial ribs and a wavy outer edge.
4. a scallop shell or a dish in which food, especially seafood, is baked and served.
5. Cooking. a thin slice of meat, usually further flattened by pounding with a mallet or other implement.
6. any of a series of curved projections cut along the edge, as of a fabric.

verb (used with object)

1. to finish (an edge) with scallops.
2. Cooking. to escallop.

verb (used without object)

1. to dredge for scallops.

scallop

/ ˈskɒləp; ˈskæl- /

noun

1. any of various marine bivalves of the family Pectinidae, having a fluted fan-shaped shell: includes free-swimming species (genus Pecten ) and species attached to a substratum (genus Chlamys ) See also pecten
2. the edible adductor muscle of certain of these molluscs
3. either of the shell valves of any of these molluscs
4. a scallop shell or similarly shaped dish, in which fish, esp shellfish, is cooked and served
5. one of a series of curves along an edge, esp an edge of cloth
6. the shape of a scallop shell used as the badge of a pilgrim, esp in the Middle Ages
7. a potato cake fried in batter

verb

1. tr to decorate (an edge) with scallops
2. to bake (food) in a scallop shell or similar dish
3. intr to collect scallops

Derived Forms

• ˈscalloping, noun
• ˈscalloper, noun

Other Words From

• un·scalloped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scallop¹

1350–1400; Middle English scalop, aphetic variant of escal(l)op escallop; sense “thin slice of meat” probably by association with French escalope escalope

Word History and Origins

Origin of scallop¹

C14: from Old French escalope shell, of Germanic origin; see scalp

Example Sentences

She starts on plain lined sheets, then she transposes the keepers to “scalloped paper plates.”

From New York Times

I really enjoy shellfish, especially scallops, lobster and langoustine.

From Salon

Cooked in ovenproof shells or ramekins, scallops are nestled within a rich sauce of wine, herbs and cream then topped with toasty, cheesy breadcrumbs.

From Salon

Restrictions on scallop dredging and prawn trawling required additional legislation which ministers promised to introduce in two stages.

From BBC

They joined dredgers trawling for scallops along the UK coastline.

From BBC

Related Words

• buckle
• coil
• contort
• curve
• fold
• twirl
• twist
• writhe