mezzotint

[ met-soh-tint, med-zoh-, mez-oh- ]
/ ˈmɛt soʊˌtɪnt, ˈmɛd zoʊ-, ˈmɛz oʊ- /

noun

a method of engraving on copper or steel by burnishing or scraping away a uniformly roughened surface.
a print produced by this method.

verb (used with object)

to engrave in mezzotint.

Origin of mezzotint

First recorded in 1730–40, mezzotint is from the Italian word mezzotinto half-tint. See mezzo, tint

OTHER WORDS FROM mezzotint

mez·zo·tint·er, noun

Example sentences from the Web for mezzotint

British Dictionary definitions for mezzotint

mezzotint
/ (ˈmɛtsəʊˌtɪnt) /

noun

a method of engraving a copper plate by scraping and burnishing the roughened surface
a print made from a plate so treated

verb

(tr) to engrave (a copper plate) in this fashion

Derived forms of mezzotint

mezzotinter, noun

Word Origin for mezzotint

C18: from Italian mezzotinto half tint