ENGRAVING, the art of cutting metals and precious stones, and representing thereon figures, letters, or whatever device, or design, the artist fancies.
Engraving, properly a branch of sculpture, is divided into several other branches, according to the matter whereon it is employed, and the manner of performing it.
The original way of engraving on wood is denominated at present, with us, by cutting in wood; that on metals with aqua fortis, is named etching; that by the knife, burnisher, punch, and scraper, is called mezzotinto; that on stones for tombs, &c. stone-cutting; and that performed with the graver on metals or precious stones, keeps alone the primitive name of engraving, being that which we shall at present attend to.