stencil
[sten-suh l]
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noun
a device for applying a pattern, design, words, etc., to a surface, consisting of a thin sheet of cardboard, metal, or other material from which figures or letters have been cut out, a coloring substance, ink, etc., being rubbed, brushed, or pressed over the sheet, passing through the perforations and onto the surface.
the letters, designs, etc., produced on a surface by this method.
verb (used with object), sten·ciled, sten·cil·ing or (especially British) sten·cilled, sten·cil·ling.
to mark or paint (a surface) by means of a stencil.
to produce (letters, figures, designs, etc.) by means of a stencil.
Origin of stencil
1375–1425; earlier stanesile, late Middle English stansele to ornament with diverse colors or spangles < Middle French estanceler, derivative of estencele a spark, ornamental spangle < Vulgar Latin *stincilla, metathetic variant of Latin scintilla scintilla
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for stencilling
Historical Examples of stencilling
You will find that stencilling is the most delightful of the home crafts.
The Library of Work and Play: NeedlecraftEffie Archer Archer
"I don't know who's to finish the stencilling in Va," said Kathleen Wilcox.
Loyal to the SchoolAngela Brazil
Florence, will you get the oil-paints that we use 286 for stencilling?
Winona of the Camp FireMargaret Widdemer
What with repoussé work and stencilling and chip carving, I hardly ever get half an hour to enjoy a book.
The Madcap of the SchoolAngela Brazil
To go back a bit, the earliest method of coloring paper hangings was by stencilling.
Old Time Wall PapersKatherine Abbott Sanborn
stencil
noun
verb -cils, -cilling or -cilled or US -cils, -ciling or -ciled (tr)
Word Origin for stencil
C14 stanselen to decorate with bright colours, from Old French estenceler, from estencele a spark, from Latin scintilla
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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stencil
stencil
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper