etch
verb /etʃ/
/etʃ/
[usually passive]Verb Forms
Idioms | present simple I / you / we / they etch | /etʃ/ /etʃ/ |
| he / she / it etches | /ˈetʃɪz/ /ˈetʃɪz/ |
| past simple etched | /etʃt/ /etʃt/ |
| past participle etched | /etʃt/ /etʃt/ |
| -ing form etching | /ˈetʃɪŋ/ /ˈetʃɪŋ/ |
- to cut lines into a piece of glass, metal, etc. in order to make words or a picture
- A (is) etched in/into/on B a glass tankard with his initials etched on it
- A security number had been etched on the car window as a protection against theft.
- B (is) etched with A a glass tankard etched with his initials
- (literary) if a feeling is etched on somebody’s face, or somebody’s face is etched with a feeling, that feeling can be seen very clearly
- A is etched in/into/on B Tiredness was etched on his face.
- B is etched with A His face was etched with tiredness.
- to make a strong clear mark or pattern on something
- (be) etched + adv./prep. a mountain etched (= having a clear outline) against the sky
Word Originmid 17th cent.: from Dutch etsen, from German ätzen, from a base meaning ‘cause to eat’; related to eat.
Idioms
be etched on your heart/memory/mind
- if something is etched on your heart, memory, etc. you remember it because it has made a strong impression on you