scull
UK[skʌl]US[skʌl]
n
A small, light racing boat for one person, propelled by a pair of oars.
n
One of a pair of short oars used by a single rower.
v
To propel a boat using a pair of sculls.
Etymology
The origin of the word 'scull' is obscure. It first appeared in English in the late 14th century, initially referring to a type of small boat. It is not derived from the word 'skull' (head bone), despite the identical pronunciation and occasional folk-etymology association. One plausible theory suggests it may be a borrowing from a Scandinavian source, such as the Swedish word 'skulle' meaning 'a flat-bottomed boat'. Another possibility is that it evolved from a Middle English dialect term. The modern, specific meaning of a light racing boat or its paired oars became established in the 18th century, solidifying its place in the lexicon of rowing.
Analysis
The word is a simplex form. Its origin is uncertain but may be related to the name of a type of boat or a dialectal term.
Examples
The athlete trained daily in her single scull on the river.
He gripped the sculls firmly and began to row.
She learned to scull efficiently during her time at university.