v. etched, etch·ing, etch·es v.tr. 1. a. To cut into the surface of (glass, for example) by the action of acid, especially by coating the surface with wax or another protective layer and drawing lines with a needle and then using the acid to form the lines on the unprotected parts of the surface. b. To make or create by this method: etch a design on glass. 2. a. To draw or write by cutting or scraping: etched his initials in the metal. b. To cut or scrape something in or on: etched the metal with a knife. 3. To impress or delineate clearly: a landscape that is forever etched in my memory; trees that are etched against the sky. v.intr. To engage in etching. [Dutch etsen, from German ätzen, from Middle High German etzen, from Old High German ezzen, to eat; see ed- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] etcher n. |
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