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Glite Dictionary
to recarve

to recarve

1 6.9
Cut new shapes or details into something that was already cut
  • verb
  • /riˈkɑrv/
translation icon : recarvar
  • The importance of Islam in the present day and the participation of Muslims in Shango ritual are indicated by the priest's label and by what appears to be an alteration in the iconography of the recarved figure.

Examples

  • The artist planned to recarve the worn-out details of the ancient relief to enhance its appearance.

  • The Sphinx is thought to have been originally a lion which whose head was recarved to be like a pharaoh later on.

  • Japanese collectors of ukiyo-e, for example, admire reprints from recarved woodblocks more than first prints off the original.

    Academic text (2018)

  • After the storm, the sculptor decided to recarve the statue to repair the damage.

  • To restore the old furniture, she had to recarve the intricate designs on the armrests.

Synonyms

to reshape
vsto recarve
49 3.5

To change the form of something so it looks different

aims at fine corrective changes to details rather than broad form shifts
to redo
vsto recarve
47 2.1

Do something again to fix mistakes or make it better

targets specific surface changes for shape correction rather than general repetition
to recut
vsto recarve
3 4.1

Cut something again to improve or change it

focuses on repeating precise detail work to alter shape
to refashion
vsto recarve
3 4.9

To change something into a new or different form

focuses on subtle material or detail corrections instead of full remaking
to reinscribe
vsto recarve
7.9

To write or carve words again so they are clear and readable

applies to changing three dimensional form rather than renewing written marks

How Much

to reshape
49 3.5
to recarve
1 6.9
to carve
272 2.1
to whittle
13 6.2
to chip
104 2.3

Surface Forms

recarve infinitive
recarved past
recarved past participle
recarving present participle
recarves third person singular

Morphology

recarve = carve (transparent) = re + carve

The verb means 'carve again', which is a regular and easily inferable use of the prefix 're-' with 'carve'.

Etymology

The word recarve is made of re- meaning 'again' and carve meaning 'to cut or shape material like wood or stone'. So, to recarve something is to 'cut it again' to change, improve, or fix its shape.