engrail

[en-greyl]

verb (used with object)

to ornament the edge of with curved indentations.
Minting. to make dots or curves on the cylindrical edge of (a coin, medal, etc.) so as to form a pattern.

Origin of engrail

1375–1425; late Middle English engrelen < Anglo-French, Middle French engresler, equivalent to en- en-¹ + gresler to make slender ≪ Latin gracilis gracile; compare French grêle kind of file, derivative of grêler

Related formsen·grail·ment, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for engrail

engrail

verb

(tr) to decorate or mark (the edge of) (a coin) with small carved notches

Derived Formsengrailment, noun

Word Origin for engrail

C14: from Old French engresler, from en- 1 + gresle slim, from Latin gracilis slender, graceful

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