engrave (redirected from engraving)

carved in stone and engraved in stone; written in stone

Fig. permanent or not subject to change. (Often in the negative.) Now, this isn't carved in stone yet, but this looks like the way it's going to be. Is this policy carved in stone, or can it still be modified?

See also: carve, stone

engrave something (up)on something 

1. . Lit. to cut letters or a design into the surface of something; to engrave something on(to) something. Todd engraved his initials into the bark of the tree. Their names were engraved onto each of their wedding rings. He asked them to engrave his initials upon the back of his watch. He engraved his name on the desktop.

2. Fig. to imprint something firmly on someone's mind. I engraved the combination to the safe upon my brain. The teacher engraved the definition of a noun into my memory.

engrave something into something

to cut symbols into something. She engraves a lovely design into the soap that she puts out for guests. Todd engraved his initials into the bark of the tree.

engrave something on(to) something

to cut symbols into the surface of something. She engraved her initials onto the side of the tree. Ted engraved her name on the bracelet.

engrave something with something 

1. . to carve something, such as letters, into something. He engraved the soft pewter with an old motto. Can you engrave my watch with a date?

2. to carve on something, using some tool or device. The worker engraved the watch with a sharp stylus. Can I engrave this bracelet with this tool? Is it sharp enough?