stencil

views updated Jun 11 2018

sten·cil / ˈstensəl/ • n. a thin sheet of cardboard, plastic, or metal with a pattern or letters cut out of it, used to produce the cut design on the surface below by the application of ink or paint through the holes. ∎  a design produced by such a sheet: a floral stencil around the top of the room.• v. (-ciled, -cil·ing; Brit. -cilled, -cil·ling) [tr.] decorate (a surface) with such a design: the walls had been stenciled with designs| [as n.] (stenciling) the art of stenciling. ∎  produce (a design) with a stencil: stencil a border around the door | [as adj.] (stenciled) the stenciled letters.

stencil

views updated Jun 08 2018

stencil.
1. Thin sheet of metal, card, etc., in which holes have been cut, of such shape as when a paint-brush is applied, patterns are created on the wall behind.

2. Pattern produced by stencilling, often found in Gothic Revival interiors.

stencil

views updated May 23 2018

stencil †ornament with bright colours XIV; (from the sb.) produce with a stencil plate XVIII. ME. stansel, stencel — OF. estanceler, estenceler, f. estencele (mod. étincelle) :- Rom. *stincilla, for L. scintilla spark.
Hence stencil sb. perforated plate for producing a pattern. XVIII.