Definition

A person who carves decorative designs on materials like whale bone or ivory, often creating intricate artwork.

Example

The scrimshander spent hours carefully carving the intricate patterns into the whale bone.

Conversation

I just read about a fascinating scrimshander who carves intricate designs on whale bones.

That sounds really interesting! What kind of designs does he make?

He creates everything from ships to animals; it's like art in a unique form.

Wow, I would love to see some of his work in person!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Scrimshander originates from the word 'scrimshaw' (from the 19th-century American whaling term, possibly derived from the Dutch 'schrimsche', meaning to make or to carve) and the suffix '-er' (meaning a person who). A scrimshander is a person who carves or engraves designs on whalebone or ivory, typically as a form of art or craft.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who 'makes' ('scrimshaw') beautiful designs and is identified as a 'person' ('-er') who does this craft. This helps you remember that a scrimshander is an artist who carves intricate designs.

Visually Confused Words