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. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of marine bivalve
mollusks of the genus Pecten and allied genera of the
family Pectinid[ae]. 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
Jacob[ae]us) 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.
Note: The common edible scallop of the Eastern United States
is Pecten irradians; the large sea scallop, also used
as food, is P. Clintonius, or tenuicostatus.
2. One of series of segments of circles joined at their
extremities, forming a border like the edge or surface of
a scallop shell.
3. One of the shells of a scallop; also, a dish resembling a
scallop shell.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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