etch
verb [usually passive]Verb Forms
Idioms | present simple I / you / we / they etch | |
| he / she / it etches | |
| past simple etched | |
| past participle etched | |
| -ing form etching |
to cut lines into a piece of glass, metal, etc. in order to make words or a picture 蚀刻，凿出（玻璃、金属等上的文字或图画） - A (is) etched in/into/on B
a glass tankard with his initials etched on it 刻有他姓名首字母的玻璃大酒杯 A security number had been etched on the car window as a protection against theft. 车窗上刻了一个安全号码作为防盗保护。 - B (is) etched with A
a glass tankard etched with his initials 刻有他姓名首字母的玻璃大酒杯
- A (is) etched in/into/on B
- (literary)
if a feeling is etched on somebody’s face, or somebody’s face is etched with a feeling, that feeling can be seen very clearly （脸上）流露出 - A is etched in/into/on B
Tiredness was etched on his face. 从他的脸上可以看出他疲惫不堪。 - B is etched with A
His face was etched with tiredness. 从他的脸上可以看出他疲惫不堪。
- A is etched in/into/on B
to make a strong clear mark or pattern on something 铭刻；画出…的轮廓 - (be) etched + adv./prep.
a mountain etched (= having a clear outline) against the sky 在天空映衬下轮廓清晰的山
- (be) etched + adv./prep.
Word Originmid 17th cent.: from Dutch etsen, from German ätzen, from a base meaning ‘cause to eat’; related to eat.
Idioms
be etched on your heart/memory/mind
if something is etched on your heart, memory, etc. you remember it because it has made a strong impression on you 铭记在心；永志不忘；牢记心头