incise

[in-sahyz]

verb (used with object)

incised, incising 

1. to cut into; cut marks, figures, etc., upon.

2. to make (marks, figures, etc.) by cutting; engrave; carve.

incise

/ ɪnˈsaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to produce (lines, a design, etc) by cutting into the surface of (something) with a sharp tool

Word History and Origins

Origin of incise¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin incīsus, past participle of incīdere “to carve, cut into,” equivalent to in- “in” in- ² + cīd- “to cut” + -tus past participle suffix, with -dt- becoming -s-

Word History and Origins

Origin of incise¹

C16: from Latin incīdere to cut into, from _in- ² + caedere to cut

Example Sentences

The development of new pastes advanced the formation and integration of sculpture; and “paste on paste” permitted the use of incised bas-reliefs.

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They found that the Martian valleys' branching angles "are more similar to terrestrial valley networks incised by overland flow, than valley networks incised by re-emerging groundwater flow."

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A post-mortem examination found she had sustained four incised wounds to her neck, one bolt wound to her neck and 11 bolt wounds to her torso among other injuries.

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As a result, some streams became deeply incised channels that act as drains, lowering the water table and encouraging conifers to move in where meadows once were, Pope said.

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Carved from wood as a durable, 3-foot-tall, totem-like column, it was then wrapped in linen, covered with smooth plaster and incised and painted.

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Related Words

• engrave 
• etch