Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Etch
Etch
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Etched
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Etching
.] [D.
etsen
, G. ätzen
to feed, corrode, etch. MHG. etzen
, causative of ezzen
to eat, G. essen
[GREEK][GREEK]. See Eat
.] 1.
To produce, as figures or designs, on mental, glass, or the like, by means of lines or strokes eaten in or corroded by means of some strong acid.
☞ The plate is first covered with varnish, or some other ground capable of resisting the acid, and this is then scored or scratched with a needle, or similar instrument, so as to form the drawing; the plate is then covered with acid, which corrodes the metal in the lines thus laid bare.
2.
To subject to etching; to draw upon and bite with acid, as a plate of metal.
I was
etching
a plate at the beginning of 1875. Hamerton.
3.
To sketch; to delineate.
[R.]
There are many empty terms to be found in some learned writes, to which they had recourse to
etch
out their system. Locke.
Etch
,Verb.
I.
To practice etching; to make etchings.
Webster 1828 Edition
Etch
ETCH
,Verb.
T.
1.
To make prints on copper-plate by means of lines or strokes first drawn, and then eaten or corroded by nitric acid. The plate is first covered with a proper varnish or ground, which is capable of resisting the acid, and the ground is then scored or scratched by a needle or similar instrument, in the places where the hatchings or engravings are intended to be; the plate is then covered with nitric acid, which corrodes or eats the metal in the lines thus laid bare.2.
To sketch; to delineate. [Not in use.]