etch

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Etched p. pr. & vb. n. Etching. ] [ D. etsen, G. ätzen to feed, corrode, etch. MHG. etzen, causative of ezzen to eat, G. essen &unr_;&unr_;. See Eat. ] 1. To produce, as figures or designs, on mental, glass, or the like, by means of lines or strokes eaten in or corroded by means of some strong acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The plate is first covered with varnish, or some other ground capable of resisting the acid, and this is then scored or scratched with a needle, or similar instrument, so as to form the drawing; the plate is then covered with acid, which corrodes the metal in the lines thus laid bare. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To subject to etching; to draw upon and bite with acid, as a plate of metal. [ 1913 Webster ]

I was etching a plate at the beginning of 1875. Hamerton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To sketch; to delineate. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

There are many empty terms to be found in some learned writes, to which they had recourse to etch out their system. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]