mezzotint
Americannoun
-
a method of engraving on copper or steel by burnishing or scraping away a uniformly roughened surface.
-
a print produced by this method.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a method of engraving a copper plate by scraping and burnishing the roughened surface
-
a print made from a plate so treated
verb
Other Word Forms
- mezzotinter noun
Etymology
Origin of mezzotint
First recorded in 1730–40, mezzotint is from the Italian word mezzotinto half-tint. See mezzo, tint
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The pangrams from yesterday’s Spelling Bee were mezzotint and monetize.
From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2023
An eighteenth-century mezzotint of a bust of Galen, by John Faber after a drawing by Peter Paul Rubens.Credit:
From Nature • Aug. 19, 2018
The mezzotint tells the story of the abduction of the infant heir from Anningley Hall, in MR James's "The Mezzotint".
From The Guardian • Dec. 21, 2012
You'll see all the talents of the Richland artist in this 15-year retrospective — etching, drypoint, mezzotint, Chine colle and engraving.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 18, 2012
A revival of mezzotint owes much to Sir Frank Short.
From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 2: Ebert to Estremadura by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
