Wiktionary

etch

English edit

 
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Pronunciation edit

Etymology 1 edit

From Dutch etsen (“to etch”), from German ätzen (“to etch”), from Old High German azzon (“to cause to bite or feed”), from Proto-Germanic *atjaną, causative of *etaną (“to eat”) (whence also English eat).

Verb edit

etch (third-person singular simple present etches, present participle etching, simple past and past participle etched)

  1. To cut into a surface with an acid or other corrosive substance in order to make a pattern. Best known as a technique for creating printing plates, but also used for decoration on metal, and, in modern industry, to make circuit boards.
  2. To engrave a surface.
  3. (figuratively) To make a lasting impression.
    The memory of 9/11 is etched into my mind.
  4. To sketch; to delineate.
    • a. 1705, John Locke, “Of the Conduct of the Understanding”, in Posthumous Works of Mr. John Locke: […], London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], published 1706, →OCLC:
      There are many such empty terms to be found in some learned writers, to which they had recourse to etch out their system.
Derived terms edit
Related terms edit
Translations edit

Etymology 2 edit

Noun edit

etch

  1. Obsolete form of eddish.
    • 1707, J[ohn] Mortimer, The Whole Art of Husbandry; or, The Way of Managing and Improving of Land. […], 2nd edition, London: […] J[ohn] H[umphreys] for H[enry] Mortlock […], and J[onathan] Robinson […], published 1708, →OCLC:
      Black Oats are commonly sown upon an Etch Crop, or on a Lay which they plow up in January, when the Earth is moist, taking care to turn the Turf well, and to lay it even and flat.

Anagrams edit

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