incised

adjective

in·​cised in-ˈsīzd How to pronounce incised (audio)
-ˈsīst
1
: cut in : engraved
especially : decorated with incised figures
2
: having a margin that is deeply and sharply notched
an incised leaf

Examples of incised in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Works like Le Couple (1926) and Femme (plate III) (1927–29) reduce the human form to minimal shapes and incised lines, recalling stelae or ceremonial tablets. Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025 A Qing Dynasty, Guangxu period (1871-1908), Imperial yellow glaze bowl with incised phoenixes and dragons, circa 19th century. oregonlive, 28 Dec. 2022 An autopsy determined that Burke died of multiple stab and incised wounds. Erin McCarthy, Philly.com, 5 June 2018 Archaeologists have found 27 incised stones that they have been marked intentionally for a greater purpose. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 3 May 2018 Look for the incised Wedgewood mark on the base to ensure authenticity. Brenda Yenke, cleveland.com, 5 Apr. 2018 Other wooden objects are gilded to reflect light or wrapped in incised gold sheets, while carved and painted alabaster, a soft and translucent stone that absorbs light in a gentle glow, is common. Christopher Knight, latimes.com, 29 Mar. 2018 For that piece, Fonseca, who arrived in New York in 1958 after dropping out of an architecture program in Montevideo, made a small wooden frame filled with cement and divided the piece with incised lines into seven irregular vertical stripes. Will Heinrich, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of incised was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Incised.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incised. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

incised

adjective
of a cut or wound
: made with or as if with a sharp knife or scalpel : clean and well-defined

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