▪ I. carving, vbl. n.
(ˈkɑːvɪŋ)
[f. carve v.]
1. The action of the verb carve, in various senses.
In senses 5–7 of the vb., carving is now usually restricted to work in wood, ivory, etc., sculpture being used of work in stone, and chasing of work in metal.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 344 Of keorfunge, oðer of hurtunge. a 1240 Lofsong in Cott. Hom. 207 In umbe keoruunge. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 264 Kervynge of mete. 1530 Elyot Gov. i. viii, He shulde be..enstructed in painting or keruinge. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. i. 26 Caruing and painting are the giftes of God. a 1613 Overbury Charac., Very woman, Her wrie little finger bewraies carving. 1641 Milton Ch. Govt. (1851) 118 To say Episcopacy is partly of divine institution, and partly of mans own carving. 1768 Priv. Lett. 1st Ld. Malmesbury I. 168 Ladies here never interfere with carving, etc. 1841–4 Emerson Ess., Hist. Wks. I. 5 The value which is given to wood by carving. |
2. Carved work; a carved figure or design.
| c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame 1302 More to tellen..Ne of compasses ne of kervynges. 1633 G. Herbert Temple, Sion i, Wood..embellished with flowers and carvings. 1826 Scott Woodst. i, The carving on the reading-desk. 1867 M. E. Herbert Impress. Spain 20 The choir..is very rich in carving. |
3. Naut. high-carving: see carved b.
| a 1642 Monson Naval Tracts (Churchill) III. 322/1 A ship that carries her ordnance low, and her hull high built, has a great advantage of a galley..if she [sc. the galley] be desperately forced to board the same ship, she will not be able to enter her, in respect of her heighth and high carving. |
4. attrib. and in comb., as carving-board, carving-fork, carving-knife, carving-machine, carving-machinery, carving-table, carving-tool, etc.
| c 1450 Bk. Curtasye 673 in Babees Bk., Two keruyng knyfes. 1503 Priv. Purse Exp. Eliz. York (1830) 96 A payre of carving knyves. 1673–4 Grew Anat. Trunks vii. §3 Shoomakers..make use of it [sallow] for their Carving-boards. 1678 Lond. Gaz. No. 1332/4, 1 silver carving fork. 1680 Ibid. No. 1487/4 A great Carving Spoon. 1875 Ure Dict. Arts I. 739 The most perfect carving machine..made for strictly artistic works. Ibid. The carving machinery..invented by Mr. Jordan and patented in 1845. |
▪ II. ˈcarving, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That carves or cuts; cutting, sharp.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 212 Scherpe & keoruinde wordes. c 1400 Destr. Troy 8640 Hit was keruond & kene. 1413 Lydg. Pylgr. Sowle iii. i. (1483) 50 Sharp keruyng rasours. |