intaglio

American  

[in-tal-yoh, -tahl-, een-tah-lyaw] / ɪnˈtæl joʊ, -ˈtɑl-, inˈtɑ ljɔ /

noun

• intaglios,
  plural
• intagli
  plural

1. incised carving, as opposed to carving in relief.

2. ornamentation with a figure or design sunk below the surface.

3. a gem, seal, piece of jewelry, or the like, cut with an incised or sunken design.

4. an incised or countersunk die.

5. a figure or design so produced.

6. a process in which a design, text, etc., is engraved into the surface of a plate so that when ink is applied and the excess is wiped off, ink remains in the grooves and is transferred to paper in printing, as in engraving or etching.

7. an impression or printing from such a design, engraving, etc.

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verb (used with object)

1. to incise or display in intaglio.

intaglio British  

/ ɪnˈtɑːlɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. a seal, gem, etc, ornamented with a sunken or incised design, as opposed to a design in relief Compare cameo

2. the art or process of incised carving

3. a design, figure, or ornamentation carved, engraved, or etched into the surface of the material used

4. any of various printing techniques using an etched or engraved plate. The whole plate is smeared with ink, the surface wiped clean, and the ink in the recesses then transferred to the paper or other material

5. an incised die used to make a design in relief

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• intagliated
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• intagli
  plural
• intaglios
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of intaglio

1635–45; < Italian, derivative of intagliare to cut in, engrave, equivalent to in- in- ² + tagliare to cut < Late Latin tāliāre, derivative of Latin tālea a cutting; see tally

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Explanation

Intaglio is a kind of printmaking in which a carved design is coated with ink and wiped with a cloth; the resulting print comes from ink in the carved grooves. In intaglio, the shape that ends up printed on paper, cloth, or some other surface is carved out of a metal plate. The plate is either engraved by hand or burned with acid, using a technique called "etching." You can also use the word intaglio to describe a type of sculpture or jewelry making in which designs are etched or engraved. In Italian, intaglio means "engraved work," from intagliare, "to cut in."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

intaglio intagli intaglios

This Roman glass intaglio depicts the god Jupiter as an eagle.

From New York Times ● Feb. 15, 2024

A collection-based exhibition is now in the works, focusing on intaglio prints from the Renaissance to the present, likely to open in December.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2023

Sediles also is showing some abstract intaglio prints, bold and monochromatic, and two sketchy acrylics that follow the traditional wide-angle approach.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 17, 2015

The figurative and the symbolic, the real and the surreal creep across Thomas Wood's intaglio prints.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 18, 2012

Instead, I am staring at the pile of notes, at the soft wax impressions, an intaglio in reverse.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

"I have one or two intagli of much beauty," said Tito.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 04 — Fiction by Sir John Alexander Hammerton

But it were well that Messere should notify to thee what the gems are, together with the intagli they bear, as a warrant to Bartolommeo that they will be worthy of his attention.”

From Romola by George Eliot

These intagli would be interesting relics for collectors of such flotsam and jetsam of a ruined dynasty. 

From Pickle the Spy; Or, the Incognito of Prince Charles by Andrew Lang

At Santa Maria in Organo, where are the wonderful intagli of Fra Giovanni da Verona, the sacristan fully shared our sorrow that the best pictures could not be unveiled as it was Holy Week.

From Italian Journeys by William Dean Howells

LAMBETH—Shortly before the closing of the court, Mr. Septimus Luker, the well-known dealer in ancient gems, carvings, intagli, &c., &c., applied to the sitting magistrate for advice.

From The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

“Rediscovering Gems,” occupying a room by the British Museum’s grand entrance through June 2, includes dozens of the tiny artifacts known as cameos and intaglios — 10 of which are recovered items.

From New York Times ● Feb. 15, 2024

The colorful intaglios — gems with incised carvings — likely fell out of signet rings worn by wealthy third-century bathers, and ended up trapped in the stone drains.

From New York Times ● May 1, 2023

Staff noticed a hidden drawer which contained about 30 items of jewellery, most with animal pictures on - called reverse crystal intaglios.

From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2018

Auctioneer James Laverack said reverse crystal intaglios were a popular form of jewellery "for both gentlemen and ladies in the Late Victorian and Edwardian period".

From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2018

Joan, Kenny called his torment of delight in days that were exquisite intaglios.

From Kenny by Joseph Pierre Nuyttens

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Related Words

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

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