emboss

²emboss

verb

Definition of EMBOSS

transitive verb

1

: to raise the surface of into bosses; especially : to ornament with raised work

2

: to raise in relief from a surface

3

: adorn, embellish

— em·boss·able \-ˈbä-sə-bəl, -ˈbȯ-\ adjective

— em·boss·er \-sər\ noun

— em·boss·ment \-mənt\ noun

Origin of EMBOSS

Middle English embosen, from Middle French embocer, from en- + boce boss

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato