mezzotint

/ˈmɛtsoʊˌtɪnt/
noun
  1. A method of engraving a metal plate by scraping and burnishing areas to create a range of tones, used to produce prints with soft shading.
    • She studied the old mezzotint technique in her printmaking class.
    • The artist used mezzotint to create a portrait with rich, velvety shadows.
    • The museum displayed a rare mezzotint from the 18th century.
  2. A print made using the mezzotint process.
    • The gallery's collection includes several mezzotints by famous engravers.
    • He bought a beautiful mezzotint of a landscape at the auction.
    • I framed the mezzotint and hung it in my study.
verb
  1. To engrave (a metal plate) using the mezzotint method.
    • The printmaker spent weeks mezzotinting the detailed image.
    • She learned to mezzotint a copper plate in her art workshop.
    • He decided to mezzotint the portrait rather than use etching.
What does "mezzotint" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean