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1. Cut or impressed into a surface
   "etched invitations";
   - engraved, graven, incised, inscribed

1. Selectively dissolve the surface of something with a solvent (or laser, stream of electrons, etc.) to produce a desired design or effect
    
2. (art) make an etching of
   "He etched her image into the surface"
    
3. (art) carve or cut into a block used for printing or print from such a block
   "etch a letter";
   - engrave
    
4. Carve or cut a design or letters into
   "etch the pen with the owner's name";
   - engrave
    
5. Cause to stand out or be clearly defined or visible
   "a face etched with pain"; "the leafless branches etched against the sky"

See also: carved, carven [archaic]

Type of: carve, chip at, dissolve, print, show

Encyclopedia: Etched