Etch (?), n.
A variant of Eddish.
[Obs.]
Mortimer.
© Webster 1913.
Etch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Etched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Etching.] [D. etsen, G. atzen to feed, corrode, etch. MHG. etzen, causative of ezzen to eat, G. essen . 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.
⇒ 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.
2.
To subject to etching; to draw upon and bite with acid, as a plate of metal.
I was etching a plate at the beginning of 1875.
Hamerton.
3.
To sketch; to delineate.
[R.]
There are many empty terms to be found in some learned writes, to which they had recourse to etch out their system.
Locke.
© Webster 1913.
Etch, v. i.
To practice etching; to make etchings.
© Webster 1913.