carve out definition |Dictionary.com

carve

2 dictionary results for: carve out

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

carve

[kahrv] Pronunciation Key verb, carved, carv·ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to cut (a solid material) so as to form something: to carve a piece of pine.

2.	to form from a solid material by cutting: to carve a statue out of stone.

3.	to cut into slices or pieces, as a roast of meat.

4.	to decorate with designs or figures cut on the surface: The top of the box was beautifully carved with figures of lions and unicorns.

5.	to cut (a design, figures, etc.) on a surface: Figures of lions and unicorns were carved on the top of the box.

6.	to make or create for oneself (often fol. by out): He carved out a career in business.

–verb (used without object)

7.	to carve figures, designs, etc.

8.	to cut meat.

[Origin: bef. 1000; ME kerven, OE ceorfan to cut; c. MLG kerven, G kerben, Gk gráphein to mark, write; see graph

]

—Related forms

carver, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

carve out
verb
1.	establish or create through painstaking effort; "She carved out a reputation among her male colleagues"
2.	remove from a larger whole; "the new start-up company carved out a large chunk of the market within a year"