First Known Use: 1707
Dictionary
1stencil
noun sten·cil \ˈsten(t)-səl\
: a piece of paper, metal, etc., that has a design, letter, etc., cut out of it
: a design or a print that is made with a stencil
Full Definition of STENCIL
1
: an impervious material (as a sheet of paper, thin wax, or woven fabric) perforated with lettering or a design through which a substance (as ink, paint, or metallic powder) is forced onto a surface to be printed
2
: something (as a pattern, design, or print) that is produced by means of a stencil
3
: a printing process that uses a stencil
See stencil defined for English-language learners
See stencil defined for kids
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Origin of STENCIL
probably ultimately from Middle English stanseld brightly ornamented, from Anglo-French estencelé spangled, past participle of estenceler to sparkle, from estencele spark, from Vulgar Latin *stincilla, alteration of Latin scintilla
2stencil
transitive verb
: to make a design on something with a stencil : to use a stencil on (something)
sten·ciled or sten·cilledsten·cil·ing or sten·cil·ling \-s(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of STENCIL
1
: to mark or paint with a stencil
2
: to produce by stencil
— sten·cil·er or sten·cil·ler \-s(ə-)lər\ noun
First Known Use of STENCIL
circa 1828
Rhymes with STENCIL
STENCIL Defined for Kids
1stencil
noun sten·cil \ˈsten-səl\
Definition of STENCIL for Kids
1
: a piece of material (as a sheet of paper or plastic) that has lettering or a design cut out and is used as a guide (as in painting or drawing)
2
: a pattern, design, or print produced with a stencil
2stencil
verb
sten·ciled or sten·cilledsten·cil·ing or sten·cil·ling
Definition of STENCIL for Kids
1
: to mark or paint with a stencil <I stenciled a box with designs.>
2
: to produce with a stencil <Stencil the number on the paper.>
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