carving

Pluralcarvings

1. 1
   nouncountable

   An object produced by cutting and shaping wood, stone, ivory, or another solid material.

   The museum displayed an intricate ivory carving from the twelfth century.

   Each carving along the temple wall depicted a different deity.

   Similarsculpture, figure

   Note

   To a sculptor, a carving is defined by its method: it is made by taking material away, cutting or chiseling wood, stone, ivory or bone. A modeled or cast piece is made by building up or pouring instead. The noun works both ways. Carvings on the oak panels are separate pieces, while a panel rich in carving treats the work as one continuous surface.

2. 2
   noununcountable

   The act or craft of cutting and shaping wood, stone, or another material into finished objects.

   She took up carving after retiring from her office job.

   Wood carving demands sharp tools and a steady hand.

   Similarsculpture

   Note

   The craft has a kitchen side as well as a workshop one. An expert in carving may be the person trusted with the Christmas dinner, slicing the meat to serve, rather than anyone who shapes wood. A material word usually settles which is meant: wood carving and stone carving name the art, and talk of a meal points to the table.

3. 3
   verb

   Present participle of carve.

   The sculptor is carving a figure from a slab of marble.

   Volunteers are carving new trails through the forest.

   Note

   One spelling does two grammatical jobs. After a form of be it is progressive (is carving a figure). At the head of a phrase it acts as a noun that can still take an object (carving the meat takes practice). That direct object is what separates it from the noun for the craft, which needs of: the carving of the meat.

4. 4
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   Executing turns on skis or a snowboard by riding the edges, without pivoting or skidding the board.

   He spent the whole afternoon carving across the fresh morning powder.

   Good skiers spend years carving clean arcs down a steep face.

   Note

   Riders use it for the clean turn. The board rolls onto its edge and follows the curve built into it, so tip and tail travel the same line and leave a thin arc in the snow. The contrast is the skidded turn, where the board is pivoted and slides sideways. It readily takes an object: you carve a turn or carve an arc down the slope.

Showing meanings only. Show all 4