graven

[grey-vuhn]

verb

1. a past participle of grave.

adjective

1. deeply impressed; firmly fixed.

2. carved; sculptured.

   a graven idol.

graven

/ ˈɡreɪvən /

verb

1. a past participle of grave 3

adjective

1. strongly fixed

Other Word Forms

• nongraven adjective
• ungraven adjective
• well-graven adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of graven¹

1200–50; Middle English. See grave ³, -en ³

Example Sentences

He believed he had created graven images of false idols with his art, and he gave up a teaching position at East Los Angeles College.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Those included condemnation of just the sort of graven imagery his son would later master for the Church of Rome and its royal cohorts in Habsburg Spain.

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They even introduced a blemish into the carving to address our concerns with the biblical injunction against graven images.

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There are also frequent views of Stibbert’s notable collection of Japanese arms and armor — among the first in the West — such as a 15th-century tanto, or samurai sword, whose blade is graven with watery calligraphy.

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The law states that “the memorial to the heroes of the Confederate States of America graven upon the face of Stone Mountain shall never be altered, removed, concealed, or obscured in any fashion.”

Read more on Seattle Times