View synonyms for chisel

chisel

[ chiz-uhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a wedgelike tool with a cutting edge at the end of the blade, often made of steel, used for cutting or shaping wood, stone, etc.
chisel plow.
Chisel, Astronomy. the constellation Caelum.

verb (used with object)

chiseled, chiseling or (especially British) chiselled, chiselling.

to cut, shape, or fashion by or as if by carving with a chisel.
to cheat or swindle (someone):
He chiseled me out of fifty dollars.
to get (something) by cheating or trickery:
He chiseled fifty dollars out of me.

verb (used without object)

chiseled, chiseling or (especially British) chiselled, chiselling.

to work with a chisel.
to trick; cheat.

chisel

/ ˈtʃɪzəl /

noun

1. a hand tool for working wood, consisting of a flat steel blade with a cutting edge attached to a handle of wood, plastic, etc. It is either struck with a mallet or used by hand
2. a similar tool without a handle for working stone or metal

verb

to carve (wood, stone, metal, etc) or form (an engraving, statue, etc) with or as with a chisel
slang.
to cheat or obtain by cheating

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Other Words From

chis·el-like chis·el·like adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of chisel¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Anglo-French, variant of Old French cisel, from unattested Vulgar Latin cīsellus, diminutive of unattested cīsus, for Latin caesus, past participle of caedere “to cut,” with -ī- generalized from prefixed derivatives; excide

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Word History and Origins

Origin of chisel¹

C14: via Old French, from Vulgar Latin cīsellus (unattested), from Latin caesus cut, from caedere to cut

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Example Sentences

At burials excavated at one site, over 85 iron objects - knives, arrowhead, rings, chisels, axes and swords - were found inside and outside burial urns.

From BBC

With his dark eyes and chiseled cheekbones, he was slotted into mostly boring love-interest roles.

From Los Angeles Times

Somehow his charm shines through nevertheless, or maybe it’s Ritchson’s chiseled abs that do the talking.

From Salon

About a dozen tanned, bare-chested men were gliding around the room, holding up their trays and chiseled jawlines with practiced ease.

From Los Angeles Times

He had a licence to charm on screen, with his sultry voice and suave, chiselled good looks.

From BBC

Related Words

Chisanbop chiseled

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