intaglio

in·ta·glio  (n-tly, -täl-)

n. pl. inta·glios

1.

a. A figure or design carved into or beneath the surface of hard metal or stone.

b. The art or process of carving a design in this manner.

2. A gemstone carved in intaglio.

3. Printing done with a plate bearing an image in intaglio.

4. A die incised so as to produce a design in relief.

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[Italian, from intagliare, to engrave : in-, in (from Latin; see in-²) + tagliare, to cut (from Vulgar Latin *tallire, from Late Latin tlire; see tailor).]

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intaglio [in-tah-lee-oh]

Noun

pl -lios or -li

1. a seal or gem decorated with an engraved design

2. an engraved design [Italian]

intagliated adj

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	intaglio - a printing process that uses an etched or engraved plate; the plate is smeared with ink and wiped clean, then the ink left in the recesses makes the print gravure, intaglio printing printing process, printing - reproduction by applying ink to paper as for publication photogravure - printing from an intaglio plate prepared by photographic methods
	2.	intaglio - glyptic art consisting of a sunken or depressed engraving or carving on a stone or gem (as opposed to cameo) diaglyph glyptic art, glyptography - carvings or engravings (especially on precious stones)