incise

verb

in·​cise in-ˈsīz How to pronounce incise (audio) -ˈsīs How to pronounce incise (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The comedian and political host incised the D.C. affair with one-liners aimed at those in attendance (from their fashion choices to their general decision to show up at all), X owner Elon Musk’s odd/potentially terrifying salute and outgoing POTUS Joe Biden’s down-to-the-wire blanket pardon. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025 The stick and stone represent yes or no, while the leaf cards, which are specially incised with certain meanings, offer further clarification. Michelle Aroney and David Zeitlyn, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 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 See all Example Sentences for incise 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of incise was in 1567

Dictionary Entries Near incise

Cite this Entry

“Incise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incise. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

incise

verb
in·​cise in-ˈsīz How to pronounce incise (audio)
incised; incising
: to cut into : carve, engrave

Medical Definition

incise

transitive verb
in·​cise in-ˈsīz How to pronounce incise (audio) -ˈsīs How to pronounce incise (audio)
incised; incising
: to cut into : make an incision in
incised the swollen tissue

More from Merriam-Webster on incise

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