etching

[ ech-ing ]

noun

1. the act or process of making designs or pictures on a metal plate, glass, etc., by the corrosive action of an acid instead of by a burin.
2. an impression, as on paper, taken from an etched plate.
3. the design so produced.
4. a metal plate bearing such a design.

etching

/ ˈɛtʃɪŋ /

noun

1. the art, act, or process of preparing etched surfaces or of printing designs from them
2. an etched plate
3. an impression made from an etched plate

etching

1. An artistic print made from a plate on which the artist has etched a design with acid. ( Compare engraving .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of etching¹

First recorded in 1625–35; etch + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The realistic depictions are etchings, while the simpler, more colorful pictures are monoprints.

From Washington Post

One pair, possibly a set of self-portraits, features the same etching in both, but with curved shapes in four bright colors atop the second one.

From Washington Post

The two swing-out windows in the kitchen appear to have some etching or scratching that has gotten worse.

From Washington Post

The etching or scratch-like marks you see are caused by a failure of a low-e coating that was applied to the glass, Weaver said.

From Washington Post

Apply window treatments such as etching and inexpensive sticker grids.

From Washington Post

He had customized his new gun by etching in the words “better off this way” and “my ELF weapon.”

From The Daily Beast

Celluloid is to Dean what oil paint is to Titian or etching to Whistler.

From The Daily Beast

Stranger still, artist Mark Evans originally created the leather etching for Campbell herself, to benefit her own charity.

From The Daily Beast

The Pablo Picasso etching had stalled at a bid of $5,400, barely above its low estimate.

From The Daily Beast

That day, I walked by the Vietnam Memorial and people were etching names on to front pages of newspapers.

From The Daily Beast

She also practises etching, pen-and-ink drawing, as well as crayon and water-color sketching.

From Project Gutenberg

The two walked along under the trees, which cast etching-like shadows in the broad moonlight, and neither talked much.

From Project Gutenberg

The edge of the tray or plate may be decorated either by piercing, embossing, etching, or enameling.

From Project Gutenberg

Its drooping knotted threads also make a pretty etching upon the winter snow.

From Project Gutenberg

It is advantageous to repeat the mopping-on process at intervals during the etching.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• engraving
• inscription
• reproduction