/ etʃ; NAmE / verb etch A (with B) | etch B (in / into / on A)
1.
to cut lines into a piece of glass, metal etc. in order to make words or a picture :
[ vn ]
a glass tankard with his initials etched on it
a glass tankard etched with his initials
[also v ]
2.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] ( literary ) if a feeling is etched on sb's face, or sb's face is etched with a feeling, that feeling can be seen very clearly :
Tiredness was etched on his face.
His face was etched with tiredness.
3.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] to make a strong clear mark or pattern on sth :
a mountain etched (= having a clear outline) against the sky
•
IDIOMS
- be etched on your heart / memory / mind
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from Dutch etsen , from German ätzen , from a base meaning cause to eat; related to eat .