burin

[ byoor-in, bur- ]

noun

1. a tempered steel rod, with a lozenge-shaped point and a rounded handle, used for engraving furrows in metal.
2. a similar tool used by marble workers.
3. a prehistoric pointed or chisel-like flint tool.

burin

/ ˈbjʊərɪn /

noun

1. a chisel of tempered steel with a sharp lozenge-shaped point, used for engraving furrows in metal, wood, or marble
2. an engraver's individual style
3. archaeol a prehistoric flint tool with a very small transverse edge

Word History and Origins

Origin of burin¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from French, from Italian burino (now bulino ) “graving tool,” equivalent to bur- (perhaps from Germanic; bore ² ) + -ino -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of burin¹

C17: from French, perhaps from Italian burino , of Germanic origin: compare Old High German boro auger; see bore ¹

Example Sentences

“The main thing is practice,” said Raftery, 61, who picked up a burin, the engraver’s tool, in his third year of art school and was hooked.

From Seattle Times

Over and over, Maria sank the sharp point of the wood-handled engraving tool, called a burin, into the polished metal, carving up tiny curls of shining copper.

From Literature

Engraving is a very difficult technique, in which a metal burin is forced into a wooden or metal plate.

From Salon

The geometric and floral motifs are first drawn as a temporary outline—using powdered chalk or magnesium powder—and then engraved with a burin.

From Forbes

There are etchings on ivory specially selected for its slight variations in colour, indicative of landscape, where the needle-sharp burin has had to be fashioned from rock.

From The Guardian