engrave

[en-greyv]

verb (used with object)

engraved, engraving 

1. to chase (letters, designs, etc.) on a hard surface, as of metal, stone, or the end grain of wood.

   She had the jeweler engrave her name on the back of the watch.

2. to print from such a surface.

3. to mark or ornament with incised letters, designs, etc..

   He engraved the ring in a floral pattern.

4. to impress deeply; infix.

   That image is engraved on my mind.

engrave

/ ɪnˈɡreɪv /

verb

1. to inscribe (a design, writing, etc) onto (a block, plate, or other surface used for printing) by carving, etching with acid, or other process

2. to print (designs or characters) from a printing plate so made

3. to fix deeply or permanently in the mind

Other Word Forms

• engravable adjective
• engraver noun
• reengrave verb (used with object)
• superengrave verb (used with object)
• underengraver noun
• unengraved adjective
• well-engraved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of engrave¹

1500–10; < Middle French engraver; en- ¹, grave ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of engrave¹

C16: from _en- ¹ + _grave ³, on the model of French engraver

Example Sentences

In the messages to his roommate Robinson said the engravings were "mostly a big meme", indicating perhaps that they should not be taken as a serious statement.

From BBC

Robinson goes on to fret about losing his grandfather’s rifle and describes the engravings on the shell casings found at the scene as “mostly a big meme.”

From Salon

He added that the source and reasoning of the engraving on shell casings is still under investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

"The messages also refer to engraving bullets, and a mention of a scope and the rifle being unique," the affidavit states.

From BBC

The engravings on Robinson’s bullet casings come across as a hodgepodge of messages that don’t fit together comfortably, Donovan said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chisel 
• embed 
• etch 
• imprint 
• ingrain 
• inscribe