aquatint

[ ak-wuh-tint, ah-kwuh- ]

/ ˈæk wəˌtɪnt, ˈɑ kwə- /

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noun

a process imitating the broad flat tints of ink or wash drawings by etching a microscopic crackle on the copperplate intended for printing.

an etching made by this process.

verb (used with or without object)

to etch in aquatint.

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Origin of aquatint

1775–85; variant of aqua-tinta<Italian acqua tinta literally, tinted water. See aqua, tint

OTHER WORDS FROM aquatint

aq·ua·tint·er, aq·ua·tint·ist, noun

Words nearby aquatint

aquarium, Aquarius, aquashow, aquatic, aquatics, aquatint, aquatone, aquavit, aqua vitae, aqueduct, aqueduct of Sylvius

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use aquatint in a sentence

Aquatint, a method of etching on copper by which a beautiful effect is produced, resembling a fine drawing in sepia or Indian ink.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2|Various
The print is executed in bold outline, filled in with aquatint, and coloured in capital imitation of the original drawing.
Rowlandson the Caricaturist. First Volume|Joseph Grego
In these etching merely provides the ground plan for the use of mezzotint, or, more rarely, aquatint.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
The plate has a wash of aquatint, all over it, and the etching is free and bold.
Rowlandson the Caricaturist. First Volume|Joseph Grego

From the extreme delicacy of the aquatint Engravings of this Work, a limited number of Impressions only can be taken from them.
Chronicles of London Bridge|Richard Thompson

British Dictionary definitions for aquatint

aquatint

/ (ˈækwəˌtɪnt) /

noun

a technique of etching copper with acid to produce an effect resembling the flat tones of wash or watercolour. The tone or tint is obtained by acid (aqua) biting through the pores of a ground that only partially protects the copper

an etching made in this way

verb

(tr) to etch (a block, etc) in aquatint

Word Origin for aquatint

C18: from Italian acqua tinta: dyed water

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012