mezzotint

[ met-soh-tint, med-zoh-, mez-oh- ]

noun

1. a method of engraving on copper or steel by burnishing or scraping away a uniformly roughened surface.
2. a print produced by this method.

verb (used with object)

1. to engrave in mezzotint.

mezzotint

/ ˈmɛtsəʊˌtɪnt /

noun

1. a method of engraving a copper plate by scraping and burnishing the roughened surface
2. a print made from a plate so treated

verb

1. tr to engrave (a copper plate) in this fashion

Derived Forms

• ˈmezzoˌtinter, noun

Other Words From

• mezzo·tinter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mezzotint¹

First recorded in 1730–40, mezzotint is from the Italian word mezzotinto half-tint. See mezzo, tint

Word History and Origins

Origin of mezzotint¹

C18: from Italian mezzotinto half tint

Example Sentences

We were taken to the top storey, where Haden was working on the mezzotint of the Breaking up of the Agamemnon.

From Project Gutenberg

Line-engraving is now practically obsolete, while etching and mezzotint have recently come more and more to the front.

From Project Gutenberg

In these etching merely provides the ground plan for the use of mezzotint, or, more rarely, aquatint.

From Project Gutenberg

By this combination a plate will produce a larger number of good impressions than it would if it were done entirely in mezzotint.

From Project Gutenberg

Mezzotint engraving is the art of engraving on metal in tones.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chisel
• embed
• etch
• imprint
• ingrain
• inscribe