scrimshaw

American  

[skrim-shaw] / ˈskrɪmˌʃɔ /

noun

1. a carved or engraved article, especially of whale ivory, whalebone, walrus tusks, or the like, made by whalers as a leisure occupation.

2. such articles or work collectively.

3. the art or technique of carving or engraving whale ivory, whalebone, walrus tusks, etc.

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verb (used without object)

1. to produce scrimshaw.

verb (used with object)

1. to carve or engrave (whale ivory or whalebone) into scrimshaw.

scrimshaw British  

/ ˈskrɪmˌʃɔː /

noun

1. the art of decorating or carving shells, ivory, etc, done by sailors as a leisure activity

2. 1. an article made in this manner

   2. such articles collectively

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verb

1. to produce scrimshaw (from)

Etymology

Origin of scrimshaw

First recorded in 1860–65; of obscure origin

Example Sentences

The Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly chambers, adorned with antlers and a scrimshaw walrus tusk, served as the nerve center for the search with Clement Sr. acting as spokesperson.

From Salon • Nov. 15, 2023

But I found myself gravitating toward the simpler, monochrome certainties of John Maeda’s trippy typographical posters; of a zigzagged “Tapa Cloth Fragment” from Oceania; or of a specimen of 19th-century scrimshaw.

From New York Times • Aug. 3, 2022

Try your hand at scrimshaw, candle making, leatherwork, tinsmithing, felting and more.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2022

Her paintings are worked over and meticulous, condensing the artist’s labor — and that of those who assist her — into something like scrimshaw, needlework or the lattice stone screens of Mughal architecture.

From Washington Post • Jul. 6, 2021

There is a scrimshaw knife with an etching of a great white and a message in a bottle in its stomach on it.

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt