Main Entry:

carve

Pronunciation:

\ˈkärv\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

carved; carv·ing

Etymology:

Middle English kerven, from Old English ceorfan; akin to Old High German kerban to notch, Greek graphein to scratch, write

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb 1 : to cut with care or precision <carved fretwork> 2 : to make or get by or as if by cutting —often used with out<carve out a career> 3 : to cut into pieces or slices <carved the turkey> intransitive verb 1 : to cut up and serve meat 2 : to work as a sculptor or engraver

— carv·er noun