engraving

[ en-grey-ving ]
/ ɛnˈgreɪ vɪŋ /

noun

the act or art of a person who or thing that engraves.
the art of forming designs by cutting, corrosion by acids, a photographic process, etc., on the surface of a metal plate, block of wood, or the like, for or as for the purpose of taking off impressions or prints of the design so formed.
the design engraved.
an engraved plate or block.
an impression or print from this.

Origin of engraving

First recorded in 1595–1605; engrave + -ing1

Definition for engraving (2 of 2)

engrave
[ en-greyv ]
/ ɛnˈgreɪv /

verb (used with object), en·graved, en·grav·ing.

to chase (letters, designs, etc.) on a hard surface, as of metal, stone, or the end grain of wood: She had the jeweler engrave her name on the back of the watch.
to print from such a surface.
to mark or ornament with incised letters, designs, etc.: He engraved the ring in a floral pattern.
to impress deeply; infix: That image is engraved on my mind.

Origin of engrave

1500–10; < Middle French engraver; see en-1, grave3

OTHER WORDS FROM engrave

Example sentences from the Web for engraving

British Dictionary definitions for engraving (1 of 2)

engraving
/ (ɪnˈɡreɪvɪŋ) /

noun

the art of a person who engraves
a block, plate, or other surface that has been engraved
a print made from such a surface

Other words from engraving

Related adjective: glyptic

British Dictionary definitions for engraving (2 of 2)

engrave
/ (ɪnˈɡreɪv) /

verb (tr)

to inscribe (a design, writing, etc) onto (a block, plate, or other surface used for printing) by carving, etching with acid, or other process
to print (designs or characters) from a printing plate so made
to fix deeply or permanently in the mind

Derived forms of engrave

engraver, noun

Word Origin for engrave

C16: from en- 1 + grave ³, on the model of French engraver

Cultural definitions for engraving

engraving

An artistic print made from a metal plate on which an artist has cut a design with a graver or a small chisel. (Compare etching.)