hatching

noun

hatch·​ing ˈha-chiŋ 

: the engraving or drawing of fine lines in close proximity especially to give an effect of shading

also : the pattern so made

Did you know?

Hatching refers to the drawing or engraving of lines close together as a method of shading. The closer the lines, the darker the impression that is created. When the lines are drawn at an angle so as to intersect one another, that is called cross-hatching. One notable artist who drew on this technique is John Tenniel, the illustrator of Lewis Carroll's 1865 novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Another is Albrecht Dürer, whose sketches have been celebrated for their adept use of cross-hatching to indicate foreshortening (an appearance of something, such as a subject's nose, as shortened due to its being pointed toward the viewer). The word hatching is a gerund of the verb hatch, which in turn comes from the Middle French hacher, meaning "to chop, slice up, or incise with fine lines." If hatching isn’t your preferred style of shading, you might also consider stippling or blending.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1650, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

hatching

noun

hatch·​ing ˈhach-iŋ 

: the engraving or drawing of fine lines close together chiefly to give an effect of shading

also : the pattern so created