incise

[ in-sahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, in·cised, in·cis·ing.

1. to cut into; cut marks, figures, etc., upon.
2. to make (marks, figures, etc.) by cutting; engrave; carve.

incise

/ ɪnˈsaɪz /

verb

1. tr to produce (lines, a design, etc) by cutting into the surface of (something) with a sharp tool

Word History and Origins

Origin of incise¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin incīsus, past participle of incīdere “to carve, cut into,” equivalent to in- “in” in- ² + cīd- “to cut” + -tus past participle suffix, with -dt- becoming -s-

Word History and Origins

Origin of incise¹

C16: from Latin incīdere to cut into, from in- ² + caedere to cut

Example Sentences

You can seem to incise lines on it, and they look for all the world like they’re real, but with a little bit of shaking up, you can make significant changes.

From Freakonomics

The usual plan is to prick or incise each lesion and press out the contents.

From Project Gutenberg

Put to the doors a while there; ye can incise To a hairs breadth without defacing.Sur.

From Project Gutenberg

Winding streams on plains may thus incise their meanders in solid rock as the plains are gradually uplifted.

From Project Gutenberg

Care must be taken not to let the knife slip at the end of the incision and so incise the neck tissues.

From Project Gutenberg

The next step is to incise the sinus freely from above downwards towards the jugular fossa and curette out the thrombus.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• engrave
• etch