Skip to main content
pyrograph

pyrograph

9.9
A design burned onto wood or leather using a hot tool
  • noun
  • /ˈpaɪrəˌɡræf/
: pírografo
  • She created a beautiful pyrograph on the wooden box.

Examples

  • The table was decorated with an intricate pyrograph of woodland animals.

  • She proudly displayed her latest pyrograph at the local art show.

  • He learned how to create a pyrograph as a hobby during the summer.

  • The artist specializes in pyrographs of animals.

  • She proudly displayed her latest pyrograph at the local art show.

  • The table was decorated with an intricate pyrograph of woodland animals.

  • The artist specializes in pyrograph designs that showcase nature.

Surface Forms

pyrograph singular
pyrographs plural

Morphology

pyrograph = graph (semi-transparent) = pyro + graph

The form is clearly built from 'pyro-' ('fire') and 'graph', but the specialized meaning of a design produced by burning is only partly predictable.

Etymology

Pyrograph comes from Greek parts pyro- meaning 'fire' and -graph meaning 'write' or 'draw', the same -graph you see in photograph or autograph. So, a pyrograph is literally 'writing with fire', which explains why the art is made by burning a design into wood or leather.