chisel

views updated Jun 08 2018

chis·el / ˈchizəl/ • n. a long-bladed hand tool with a beveled cutting edge and a plain handle that is struck with a hammer or mallet, used to cut or shape wood, stone, metal, or other hard materials.• v. (-eled, -el·ing; Brit. -elled, -el·ling) [tr.] 1. cut or shape (something) with a chisel: carefully chisel out a groove for the hinge.2. inf. cheat or swindle (someone) out of something: he's chiseled me out of my dues.DERIVATIVES: chis·el·er / ˈchiz(ə)lər/ n.

chisel

views updated May 29 2018

chisel XIV. — ONF. chisel (mod. ciseau, in pl. scissors) :- Rom. *cīsellum, for *cæsellum after late L. cīsōrium (see SCISSORS), f. cīs-, var. of cæs, stem of cædere cut.