emboss
Americanverb (used with object)
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to raise or represent (surface designs) in relief.
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to decorate (a surface) with raised ornament.
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Metalworking. to raise a design on (a blank) with dies of similar pattern, one the negative of the other.
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to cause to bulge out; make protuberant.
verb
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to mould or carve (a decoration or design) on (a surface) so that it is raised above the surface in low relief
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to cause to bulge; make protrude
Other Word Forms
- embossable adjective
- embosser noun
- embossment noun
- unembossed adjective
Etymology
Origin of emboss
1350–1400; Middle English embosen < Middle French embocer, equivalent to em- em- 1 + boce boss 2
Explanation
Emboss means to carve with a design. A silver tray might be embossed with your initials and wedding date. You might give your teacher a plaque with "World's Best Teacher" embossed under their name. Embossing and engraving have similar effects––a raised surface. But embossing pushes the paper or metal up, working from behind, while engraving actually cuts into the surface, cutting away a bit of the media as it makes its mark.
Vocabulary lists containing emboss
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It happens on the third day, after our bookbinding class, having spent the morning deep in concentration learning how to Coptic-stitch and emboss our own leather journal.
From The Guardian • Apr. 28, 2019
In the real world, opportunities for selling and recruiting dry up very quickly, no matter how many inspirational seminars you attend and business cards you emboss.
From Slate • Jul. 20, 2016
Beneath the obvious mowing patterns, I can make out the faint paths where the grounds crew cuts it foul pole to foul pole, so as not to emboss the outfield with game-changing ridges.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2015
"I’ve had people calling from as far away as from England looking for the book early," said Madrie, who will emboss copies of the book so folks will know it was bought in Lee’s hometown.
From Reuters • Jul. 14, 2015
O Farms! protest if any tree emboss The barren hills.
From The Poems of Sidney Lanier by Lanier, Sidney
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
