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carve definition

carve (kärv)

transitive verb carved, carving carv′·ing

  1. to make or shape by or as by cutting, chipping, hewing, etc. carve a statue out of wood or stone, carve a career
  2. to decorate the surface of with cut figures or designs
  3. to divide by cutting; slice to carve meat
  4. to divide into portions, as land: with up

Etymology: ME kerven < OE ceorfan < IE base *gerebh-, to scratch: see graphic

intransitive verb

  1. to carve statues or designs
  2. to carve meat

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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