scalloping

[ skol-uh-ping, skal- ]

noun

1. the act or occupation of collecting scallops.
2. a pattern or contour in the form of scallops, as along the edge of a garment.
3. the act of finishing an edge with scallops.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scalloping¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; scallop + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Brown was working with a vocabulary that she called “delicate aberrations,” and small-scale gestures repeatedly catch the eye, like palms carving the air in a scalloping motion, or a forearm folding into a rib.

From New York Times

When my kids were younger, I always took them scalloping.

From Salon

The day I joined Alex Todd on his scalloping boat out of Portland, Maine, I missed a key memo: Bring lunch.

From Salon

The search for the other two members of the scalloping vessel, which is registered in Brixham, Devon, was eventually suspended at 23:00.

From BBC

The emergency signal put the 45ft scalloping vessel about three nautical miles off the coast.

From BBC