intricate carving
1
6.8
- noun
- /ˈɪntrɪkɪt ˈkɑrvɪŋ/
:
tallado intrincado
- Visitors admire the intricate carvings on the doors of the historic cathedral.
Examples
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The arched windows are surrounded with intricate carvings, and the garden itself is exquisitely planted with flowers surrounding a fountain tiled in blue, purple, and green.
Fiction book (1993) -
Unable to focus on any single particular, I scanned the wall mosaics and all the intricate carvings of trees, garlands, and shells.
Fiction book (1995) -
It was extremely heavy and very old; here and there the intricate carvings had been worn smooth, and the wood was black with age.
Fiction book (1993) -
The fascia and intricate carvings of the building are partially veiled behind chicken wire.
Fiction book (1998) -
Two enormous wooden doors, covered with intricate carvings of demons, serpents, and gargoyles, adorn the castle entrance.
Fiction book (1990) -
Intricate carvings of birds, turtles, and fish adorn the walls of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is threatened by erosion.
Blog text (29) -
Complete with paintings and intricate carvings, the 500-seat Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth, Germany, was designed by architect Giuseppe Galli Bibiena.
Blog text (21) -
The ancient temple featured intricate carvings that told the stories of its gods.
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The artisan showcased a stunning piece of furniture with intricate carvings on its surface.
Synonyms
A piece like a painting or carving with many small, careful details
How Detailed
1
6.8
70
2.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'intricate' (complex, elaborate) modifies 'carving' (a shaped piece produced by cutting), so the phrase simply denotes a carving that is elaborate or highly detailed. This adjective+noun pattern is a basic and cross-linguistically common composition, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reliably infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Intricate carving comes from the picture of a carver using small tools to cut many tiny, linked lines into wood or stone. The word intricate points to 'many small details' and carving is the act of cutting, so the phrase means a carved piece that shows fine detail and needs great 'skill'.