Definition

1. Noun:

   • A type of edible marine mollusk: A "scallop" is a bivalve with a distinctive fan-shaped, fluted shell. It swims by clapping its shells together to expel water.
   • A slice of meat: A thin, boneless slice of meat, often veal, that is typically fried or broiled.
   • The edible adductor muscle: The round, white muscle of the scallop mollusk, commonly served as seafood.
   • A series of curved projections: One of a continuous pattern of rounded, wavy curves along an edge, resembling the shell's shape.

2. Verb:

   • To shape with curves: To cut, form, or decorate an edge with a series of rounded projections.
   • To fish for scallops: To harvest scallops from the sea.
   • To cook with a topping: To bake food, often in a sauce, with a breadcrumb topping.
   • To form scallops in: To create a wavy pattern or indentation on a surface.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • We ordered grilled scallops with lemon butter. (Referring to the seafood.)
  • The tablecloth had a beautiful scallop along its border. (Referring to the decorative edge.)
  • The chef prepared a veal scallop with a mushroom sauce. (Referring to the slice of meat.)

• Verb:

  • She used pinking shears to scallop the fabric's edge.
  • They go to the bay every winter to scallop.
  • For the casserole, scallop the potatoes with cheese and cream.

Advanced Usage

• "To be scalloped": Describes an object with a wavy, decorative edge.
  • The pages of the old book were scalloped by time and moisture.

Variants and Related Words

• Scalloped (adj): Having a edge cut into a series of curves.
  • She wore a dress with a scalloped neckline.
• Scalloping (n): The action of cutting or forming scallops; also, the activity of harvesting scallops.
  • The scalloping season begins in the fall.

Synonyms

• Noun (mollusk): Shellfish, bivalve.
• Noun (edge): Crenellation, notch, curve.
• Verb (to shape): Indent, notch, crenellate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms specifically centered on the word "scallop.")

Noun

1. edible marine bivalve having a fluted fan-shaped shell that swim by expelling water from the shell in a series of snapping motions
2. thin slice of meat (especially veal) usually fried or broiled
3. edible muscle of mollusks having fan-shaped shells; served broiled or poached or in salads or cream sauces
4. one of a series of rounded projections (or the notches between them) formed by curves along an edge (as the edge of a leaf or piece of cloth or the margin of a shell or a shriveled red blood cell observed in a hypertonic solution etc.)

Verb

1. shape or cut in scallops
   • scallop the hem of the dress
2. fish for scallops
3. form scallops in
   • scallop the meat
4. bake in a sauce, milk, etc., often with breadcrumbs on top
5. decorate an edge with scallops
   • the dress had a scalloped skirt