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carve

 - 4 dictionary results

carve

  [kahrv] verb, carved, carv⋅ing.
Use carve in a Sentence
–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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To carve
carve   (kärv)   
v.   carved, carv·ing, carves

v.   tr.

    1. To divide into pieces by cutting; slice: carved a roast.

    2. To divide by parceling out: carve up an estate.

  2. To cut into a desired shape; fashion by cutting: carve the wood into a figure.

  3. To make or form by or as if by cutting: carve initials in the bark; carved out an empire.

  4. To decorate by cutting and shaping carefully.

v.   intr.

  1. To engrave or cut figures as an art, hobby, or trade.

  2. To disjoint, slice, and serve meat or poultry.


[Middle English kerven, from Old English ceorfan; see gerbh- in Indo-European roots.]
carv'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

carve 
O.E. ceorfan (class III strong verb; past tense cearf, pp. corfen), from W.Gmc. *kerfan, from PIE base *gerebh- "to scratch," making carve the Eng. cognate of Gk. graphein. Once extensively used, most senses now usurped by cut. Meaning specialized to sculpture, meat, etc., by 16c. Strong conjugation became weak, but archaic carven is still encountered. In a set of dining chairs, the one with the arms, usually at the head of the table, is the carver (1927), reserved for the one who carves.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Bible Dictionary

Carve

The arts of engraving and carving were much practised among the Jews. They were practised in connection with the construction of the tabernacle and the temple (Ex. 31:2, 5; 35:33; 1 Kings 6:18, 35; Ps. 74:6), as well as in the ornamentation of the priestly dresses (Ex. 28:9-36; Zech. 3:9; 2 Chr. 2:7, 14). Isaiah (44:13-17) gives a minute description of the process of carving idols of wood.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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