intaglio Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a printing process that uses an etched or engraved plate; the plate is smeared with ink and wiped clean, then the ink left in the recesses makes the print
    gravure; intaglio printing.
  2. noun glyptic art consisting of a sunken or depressed engraving or carving on a stone or gem (as opposed to cameo)
    diaglyph.

WordNet

In*tagl"io noun
Etymology
It., fr. intagliare to engrave, carve; pref. in- in + tagliare to cut, carve. See Detail.
Wordforms
plural E Intaglius It Intagli
Definitions
  1. A cutting or engraving; a figure cut into something, as a gem, so as to make a design depressed below the surface of the material; hence, anything so carved or impressed, as a gem, matrix, etc.; -- opposed to cameo. Also used adjectively.

Webster 1913