Incise: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in a context where precise and careful cutting is required, often in medical or surgical situations.

• The surgeon had to incise the patient's skin to remove the tumor.
• The artist decided to incise intricate patterns into the wooden block.

A general term used for breaking the surface of an object or dividing something into pieces, applicable in a wide range of situations from cooking to injuries.

• He used a knife to cut the cake.
• I accidentally cut my finger while chopping vegetables.

Typically used when referring to cutting something into thin, flat pieces, often used in cooking.

• She sliced the bread before serving it.
• He carefully sliced the tomato for the salad.

Refers to a deep and often long cut, usually resulting from an accident and often carries a negative or violent connotation.

• He had a nasty gash on his leg after falling off the bike.
• The rock caused a deep gash in the hull of the boat.

Used primarily in medical or scientific contexts to describe making a precise cut or incision in tissue or materials.

• The surgeon will incise the abdominal wall to access the internal organs.
• Scientists incise the tree bark to study its growth patterns.

Typically used to describe the process of cutting or etching text or designs onto a hard surface, often metal or glass, generally for decorative purposes or to create lasting inscriptions.

• The jeweler will engrave her initials onto the bracelet.
• They decided to engrave the date of their wedding on the ring.

Best used when talking about shaping objects from a solid material by cutting away portions, commonly related to wood or stone and often in artistic contexts.

• He learned to carve intricate designs into wooden panels.
• For the holiday, we will carve a turkey.

Most suitable when discussing the process of using acid or another chemical to create a design on a surface, commonly used in art or to describe fine, detailed cuts.

• She used acid to etch the intricate pattern onto the metal plate.
• The artist etched a haunting scene into the glass.

Typically used in medical or scientific contexts to describe making a precise cut, often with a scalpel or similar instrument.

• The surgeon will incise the tissue to reach the underlying organ
• The biologist needed to incise the sample for further examination

General term that can refer to any slicing or severing action, applicable in various situations from cooking to accidents.

• She cut the vegetables for dinner
• He accidentally cut his finger while opening the package

Describes an injury that breaks the skin or other body tissues, often used in medical or military contexts. It can also be used metaphorically.

• He suffered a deep wound during the battle
• Her harsh words wounded his feelings deeply

Refers to the mark left on the skin or tissue after the healing of a wound or cut. It can also be used metaphorically to describe emotional or psychological impact.

• The surgery left a long scar on his arm
• The tragic event scarred her emotionally