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stencil definition

sten·cil (sten′səl)

transitive verb stenciled -·ciled or stencilled -·cilled, stenciling -·cil·ing or stencilling -·cil·ling

to make, mark, or paint with a stencil

Etymology: < ME stansilen, to ornament with spangles < OFr estenceler < estencele, spangle, spark < VL *stincilla, for L scintilla, spark: see scintillate

noun

  1. a thin sheet, as of paper, metal, or impermeable film, with holes cut through in the shape of letters or designs: when ink, paint, etc. is spread over the stencil, the letters or designs are marked on the surface beneath
  2. a pattern, design, letter, etc. made by stenciling

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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