incise

verb

in·​cise in-ˈsīz  -ˈsīs 

incised; incising

transitive verb

1

a

: to carve (something, such as an inscription) into a surface

b

: to carve figures, letters, or devices into : engrave

2

: to cut into

Synonyms

• engrave
• etch
• grave
• inscribe
• insculp [archaic]

Examples of incise in a Sentence

The design is incised into the clay.

The clay is incised to create a design.

Recent Examples on the Web

Indeed, Ehrlich mines her treasure trove to create jewels imbued with the presence of the past, molding, for example, bronze age Viking bracelets in wax, incising them with enigmatic marks and casting them in 18-karat gold or sterling silver. —Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

They were used in reliefs, as cameos or incised below the surface as intaglios used for sealing. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

The artist works predominantly in soft pastel and oil pastel, deeply layered, incised, etched, and otherwise manipulated into phantasmagoric visions. —Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 6 Sep. 2024

Initial analysis suggested the tattoos were incised with a blade and then impregnated with black pigment. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French inciser, from Latin incisus, past participle of incidere, from in- + caedere to cut

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

incise

verb

in·​cise in-ˈsīz 

incised; incising

: to cut into : carve, engrave

Medical Definition

incise

transitive verb

in·​cise in-ˈsīz  -ˈsīs 

incised; incising

: to cut into : make an incision in

incised the swollen tissue