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SCRIMSHAW
Definition of SCRIMSHAW
verb
To create (a small ornamental handicraft also called a scrimshaw) by carving or engraving on bone (originally whalebone or whales' teeth), ivory, or other materials. To carve or engrave (bone, ivory, or other materials) with ornamental designs. To carve or engrave (ornamental designs) on bone, ivory, or other materials.
Wiktionary · CC BY-SA
Where it comes from
The origin of the verb is unknown, but it has possibly been influenced by the surname Scrimshaw. Various etymologies have been proposed (for example, that it derives from scrimshank (“(Britain, military slang) to be idle, to shirk duty”)), but the Oxford English Dictionary does not consider any of them convincing. Following the surname theory, Etymonline ultimately derives the word probably from Old French escremisseor (“fencing-master”). The noun is probably derived from the verb.
Etymology via Wiktionary (CC BY-SA).
OUTLIER scores every word on how unusual it is, and that number is not published. Working it out at the board is the game.
SCRIMSHAW in OUTLIER
Players have found it on 1 board so far. 15 players have found it across Outlier's history.
It first turned up on Day 124, 21 September 2026. It was on the latest finished board.
First ever to find it
on Day 124, 21 September 2026 - before anyone else in Outlier's history. See the Pioneers
Built from these letters
SCRIMSHAW starts with S and ends with W. Sorted, its letters read ACHIMRSSW - the shape to hunt for when the grid is scrambled. S appears more than once.
Words that start SCRIMS
Its neighbours in the OUTLIER dictionary - shortest first.
Could you have found SCRIMSHAW?
OUTLIER is a daily word game. One grid, the same grid for everybody, and the words nobody else spots are the ones that pay. This word was on Day 124 - and most players walked straight past it.
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