chisel

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A hand tool with a sharp flat blade, used for cutting or shaping wood, stone, or metal.

   He used a chisel to carve the wooden figure.

2. 2
   verb

   To cut or shape something using a chisel.

   She chiseled a sculpture out of the block of marble.

3. 3
   verb

   To cheat someone, or to get something from them by dishonest means.

   He tried to chisel a few extra dollars out of his roommate.

From Middle English chisel, chesel, from Old Northern French chisel, cisel, from cisoir (with a change in suffix), from Late Latin cīsōrium (“cutting tool”), from Latin caedō (“cut”). Doublet of scissors.

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