First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1chisel
noun chis·el \ˈchi-zəl\
: a metal tool with a flat, sharp end that is used to cut and shape a solid material (such as stone, wood, or metal)
Full Definition of CHISEL
: a metal tool with a sharpened edge at one end used to chip, carve, or cut into a solid material (as wood, stone, or metal)
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Origin of CHISEL
Middle English, from Anglo-French *chisel, cisel, from Vulgar Latin *cisellum, alteration of caesellum, from Latin caesus, past participle of caedere to cut
2chisel
verb
: to cut or shape (something) with a chisel
chiseled or chiselledchisel·ing or chisel·ling \ˈchi-zə-liŋ, ˈchiz-liŋ\
Full Definition of CHISEL
transitive verb
1
: to cut or work with or as if with a chisel
2
: to employ shrewd or unfair practices on in order to obtain one's end; also : to obtain by such practices <chisel a job>
intransitive verb
1
: to work with or as if with a chisel
2
a : to employ shrewd or unfair practices b : to thrust oneself : intrude <chisel in on a racket>
— chis·el·er or chis·el·ler \ˈchi-zə-lər, ˈchiz-lər\ noun
See chisel defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CHISEL
1509
Related to CHISEL
- Synonyms
- beat, bilk, bleed, cheat, fleece, chouse, con, cozen, defraud, diddle, do, do in, euchre, fiddle, flimflam, gaff, gyp, hose [slang], hustle, mulct, nobble [British slang], pluck, ream, rip off, rook, screw, shake down, short, shortchange, skin, skunk, squeeze, stick, stiff, sting, sucker, swindle, thimblerig, victimize
CHISELLER Defined for Kids
1chisel
noun chis·el \ˈchi-zəl\
Definition of CHISEL for Kids
: a metal tool with a sharp edge at the end of a usually flat piece used to chip away stone, wood, or metal
2chisel
verb
chis·eled or chis·elledchis·el·ing or chis·el·ling
Definition of CHISEL for Kids
: to cut, shape, or carve with a chisel <A name was chiseled into stone.>
Medical Dictionary
chisel
noun chis·el \ˈchiz-əl\
Medical Definition of CHISEL
: a metal tool with a cutting edge at the end of a blade; especially : one used in dentistry (as for cutting or shaping enamel)
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