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graver

graver

5 9.9
A small sharp tool engravers use to cut lines into metal or wood
  • noun
  • /ˈɡreɪvər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : buril
  • He picked up his graver to add fine details to the woodcut he was working on.

Examples

  • With her graver, she created delicate lines that brought the engraving to life.

  • The deep scores made by the Graver were forming parentheses around the wide, humorous mouth.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The artist carefully used a graver to carve intricate designs into the metal surface.

Synonyms

pointel
vsgraver
  • Specialized
9.9

A small pointed tool for cutting fine lines in metal or wood

is used for incising lines generally rather than only fine detail
pointrel
vsgraver
  • Jargon
9.9

A small pointed tool an engraver uses to make fine details on metal

is used for incising lines broadly rather than only fine detail
graving tool
vsgraver
  • Specialized
8.9

A thing used to cut designs into metal, wood, or stone

is the small pointed cutting implement meant for incising lines
scauper
vsgraver
  • Specialized
9.9

A curved cutting tool for scooping broad areas from wood or metal used in engraving

is for making narrow incised lines rather than scooping away material

Surface Forms

graver singular
gravers plural

Morphology

graver = grave (opaque) = grave + er

Although the form matches 'grave' + '-er', the noun 'graver' refers to a specific tool rather than a straightforward agent noun, so learners cannot reliably predict the tool sense from the base.

Etymology

Graver comes from the verb engrave, which means 'to cut into a surface'. So a graver is the small, sharp tool an engraver uses to make fine lines, and the name tells you exactly what the tool does.