from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Scallop \Scal"lop\ (?; 277), n. [OF. escalope a shell, probably
of German or Dutch origin, and akin to E. scale of a fish;
cf. D. schelp shell. See {Scale} of a fish, and cf.
{Escalop}.] [Written also {scollop}.]
1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of marine bivalve
mollusks of the genus Pecten and allied genera of the
family {Pectinidae}. The shell is usually radially ribbed,
and the edge is therefore often undulated in a
characteristic manner. The large adductor muscle of some
the species is much used as food. One species ({Vola
Jacobaeus}) occurs on the coast of Palestine, and its
shell was formerly worn by pilgrims as a mark that they
had been to the Holy Land. Called also {fan shell}. See
{Pecten}, 2.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The common edible scallop of the Eastern United States
is {Pecten irradians}; the large sea scallop, also used
as food, is {Pecten Clintonius} syn. {Pecten
tenuicostatus}.
[1913 Webster]
2. One of series of segments of circles joined at their
extremities, forming a border like the edge or surface of
a scallop shell.
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3. One of the shells of a scallop; also, a dish resembling a
scallop shell.
[1913 Webster]