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chisel

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The definition of a chisel is a hand tool with a wedge shaped blade that is driven with a mallet or hammer.

(noun)

The tool used for making details in wood, stone or metal is an example of a chisel.

Chisel means to shape or cut a hard material using a hand tool called a chisel.

(verb)

Sculpting detail work from stone using a chisel is an example of to chisel.

See chisel in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a hand tool with a sharp, often wedge-shaped, blade for cutting or shaping wood, stone, etc., specif., such a tool that is driven with a mallet or hammer

Origin: NormFr (OFr cisel) < VL *cisellum, for L *caesellum < caesus, pp. of caedere, to cut: see -cide

intransitive verb, transitive verb chiseled or chiselled, chiseling or chiselling

to cut or shape with a chisel
Informal
1. to take advantage of by cheating, sponging, etc.
2. to get (something) in this way

Related Forms:

chiseler noun or chiseller

See chisel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A metal tool with a sharp beveled edge, used to cut and shape stone, wood, or metal.

verb chis·eled or chis·elled, chis·el·ing or chis·el·ling, chis·els

verb, transitive

To shape or cut with a chisel.
Informal
a. To cheat or swindle.
b. To obtain by deception.

verb, intransitive

To use a chisel.
Informal
a. To use unethical methods; cheat: “who's up, who's down and who's chiseling on the side” (James Reston).
b. To intrude oneself without welcome: always tries to chisel in on our conversations.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French cisiel

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *cīsellus, cutting tool

Origin: , from diminutive of Latin caesus

Origin: , past participle of caedere, to cut; see kaə-id- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: