Word
etch
US/ˈɛtʃ/
UK/ˈɛtʃ/
Definition
v. to cut a design or pattern into a hard surface using a strong chemical. It can also mean to make a mark or image that lasts a long time in your memory.
v. to cut a design or pattern into a hard surface, typically by using a corrosive substance; figuratively, to impress an image or idea deeply into the mind or memory.
Examples
“The artist used acid to etch the pattern into the copper plate.”
“The sun etched a deep tan into his skin after the long summer holiday by the sea.”
“The historian's account etched the events of the revolution into the national consciousness, ensuring that the sacrifices of the previous generation would never be forgotten.”
Examples
simple
“The artist used acid to etch the pattern into the copper plate.”
contextual
“The sun etched a deep tan into his skin after the long summer holiday by the sea.”
complex
“The historian's account etched the events of the revolution into the national consciousness, ensuring that the sacrifices of the previous generation would never be forgotten.”
Etymology
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).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.