• IPA: /ɛt͡ʃ/

From Dutch etsen, from German ätzen, from Old High German azzon, from Proto-Germanic *atjaną, causative of *etaną ("to eat") (whence also English eat).

etch (etches, present participle etching; simple past and past participle etched)

1. To cut into a surface with an acid or other corrosive substance in order to make a pattern. Best known as a technique for creating printing plates, but also used for decoration on metal, and, in modern industry, to make circuit boards.
2. To engrave a surface.
3. (figuratively) To make a lasting impression.

   The memory of 9/11 is etched into my mind.

4. To sketch; to delineate.
   • a. 1705, John Locke, “Of the Conduct of the Understanding”, in Posthumous Works of Mr. John Locke: […], London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], published 1706, →OCLC ↗:

     There are many such empty terms to be found in some learned writers, to which they had recourse to etch out their system.

• French: graver
• German: radieren, ätzen, beizen
• Italian: incidere all'acquaforte
• Portuguese: gravar
• Russian: гравирова́ть
• Spanish: grabar

• French: marquer, graver
• German: einbrennen, einprägen
• Portuguese: marcar
• Spanish: grabar

etch

1. Obsolete form of eddish
   • 1707, J[ohn] Mortimer, The Whole Art of Husbandry; or, The Way of Managing and Improving of Land. […], London: […] J[ohn] H[umphreys] for H[enry] Mortlock […], and J[onathan] Robinson […], →OCLC ↗:

     Black Oats are commonly sown upon an Etch Crop, or on a Lay which they plow up in January, when the Earth is moist, taking care to turn the Turf well, and to lay it even and flat.