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scroll

1. A roll of paper or parchment; a writing formed into a roll; a schedule; a list. The heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll. (isa. Xxxiv. 4) Here is the scroll of every man's name. (Shak)

2. An ornament formed of undulations giving off spirals or sprays, usually suggestive of plant form. Roman architectural ornament is largely of some scroll pattern.

3. A mark or flourish added to a person's signature, intended to represent a seal, and in some states allowed as a substitute for a seal.

4. (Science: geometry) same as skew surface. See Skew. Linen scroll, an adjustable chuck, applicable to a lathe spindle, for centering and holding work, in which the jaws are adjusted and tightened simultaneously by turning a disk having in its face a spiral groove which is entered by teeth on the backs of the jaws. Scroll saw. See Saw.

Origin: A dim. Of OE. Scroue, scrowe (whence E. Escrow), OF. Escroe, escroue, F. Ecrou entry in the jail book, LL. Scroa scroll, probably of Teutonic origin; cf. OD. Schroode a strip, shred, slip of paper, akin to E. Shred. Cf. Shred, Escrow.