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Glite Dictionary
to engrail

to engrail

9.9
To cut a decorative edge with small round cuts
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈɡreɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bordear
  • The artist chose to engrail the edge of the shield with intricate semicircular patterns.

Examples

  • The craftsman skillfully engrailed the metal surface, creating a decorative finish.

  • To add a touch of elegance, she decided to engrail the table's edges with rounded indentations.

  • The jeweler carefully engrailed the silver frame to create a decorative border.

  • In medieval times, shields were often engrailed to signify noble families.

  • The craftsman engrails the wooden panel to match the traditional design.

  • The artist engrails the edges of the shield.

  • She engrailed the fabric beautifully.

Synonyms

to fringe
vsto engrail
1 5.8

To add a decorative edge of hanging threads or tassels to something

decorates an edge by cutting rounded semicircular indentations

Antonyms

smooth
256 1.0

A surface that is even and not rough

plain
50 2.5

Not attractive to look at

How Ornamental

to engrail
  • Specialized
9.9
to ornament
4 3.7

Surface Forms

engrail infinitive
engrailed past
engrailed past participle
engrailing present participle
engrails third person singular

Morphology

engrail = en + grail

Although formally analysable as en- + a grail-like root, the root is not the modern English word 'grail' and the sense is a specialized heraldic term, so learners cannot derive the meaning from familiar components.

Etymology

Engrail comes from an old French word engrelé meaning 'to make small notches'. A helpful picture is the edge of a shield or picture frame with a row of small half-circles or scallops, and that is why engrail means to cut or decorate an edge with rounded indentations.