stencil

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a thin sheet with letters, shapes, or a design cut from it, used to reproduce the pattern on another surface

   She taped the leaf stencil to the wall before applying paint.

2. 2
   noun

   a design or image produced by applying ink or paint through such a template

   A blue floral stencil ran along the top of the cabinet.

3. 3
   verb

   to mark, decorate, or print a surface by means of a stencil

   Volunteers stenciled room numbers above the doors.

Probably related to Middle English stencellen, 'to decorate with bright colors,' from Old French estenceler, 'to sparkle,' ultimately from Latin scintilla, 'spark.' The noun came to name a perforated patterning sheet, and the verb developed from that tool.

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