etching

/ˈetʃɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈetʃɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈe-chiŋ/ (ame, mw)

etching — noun

  • etchingsingular
  • etchingsplural

1. the artistic technique of cutting lines into a metal plate using acid, then pres

1.名詞C1
釋義

the artistic technique of cutting lines into a metal plate using acid, then pressing the plate onto paper to print copies of the design.

例句

Wren studied etching for two years at an art school in Edinburgh.

uncountable noun naming the art form

The museum offers weekend classes in etching for teenagers and curious adults.

collocation: classes in etching

同義詞
  • engraving

    engraving cuts lines with a tool; etching uses acid to bite the metal

  • printmaking

    printmaking is the broader field; etching is one technique inside it

用法筆記

Uncountable when it names the art form itself. Distinguish from sense 2: this refers to the technique or activity, while sense 2 names the printed picture you can hang on a wall.

常見錯誤

❌She bought an etching class.
✅She bought a place on an etching class.
💡etching as the technique is uncountable; the countable thing is the class or course.

2. a picture printed onto paper from a piece of metal whose lines have been bitten

2.名詞C1
釋義

a picture printed onto paper from a piece of metal whose lines have been bitten by acid, usually small, often in black ink, and signed by the artist.

例句

A small etching of a windmill hung above the fireplace in Noor's grandmother's house.

countable: a small etching of [subject]

Anong bought a Goya etching at a Madrid auction for less than she had expected.

collocation: a [artist's name] etching

同義詞
  • print

    print is the general term for any image pulled from a plate; an etching is one specific kind

  • engraving

    an engraving is cut with a tool rather than bitten with acid, but visually similar

用法筆記

Countable, often used with quantifiers (an etching, two etchings, a set of etchings). Distinguish from sense 1: this is the physical printed picture, while sense 1 is the activity that produces it.

常見錯誤

❌She paints etchings every Sunday.
✅She makes etchings every Sunday.
💡etchings are printed, not painted; use make, pull, or produce.