sculpture English · revision 14950

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1390|origins=la scalpō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈskʌlp.tʃə/, US /ˈskʌlp.tʃɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|sculptūra|t=sculpture]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from the past participle stem of [[m|la|sculpō|t=to carve, engrave]], a back-formation from compounds such as [[m|la|exsculpō]], from [[m|la|scalpō|t=to carve, cut, scratch]] (see [[shelf]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[ine-pro|*skel-|t=to cut]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The art of carving or engraving: 1390 in the OED, before 1393 in Gower in Barnhart, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) It at first included carving in relief and intaglio,^(Barnhart 1988) and was rare before the 17th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A work of sculpture is from 1616,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and an engraved picture from 1654.^(OED 1989) In natural history, markings on a shell or skin are its sculpture (1826).^(OED 1989) The verb is from 1645, in John Evelyn's diary,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) and sculptor from 1634.^(Barnhart 1988) Sculpt and sculptural are from the 19th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1390 – the art of carving.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1616 – a work of sculpture.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1634 – sculptor.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1645 – to sculpture (verb).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1826 – markings on a shell.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The art of making figures or designs in the round or in relief by carving, modelling or casting.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A work or works made in this way.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Ridges or indentations on a shell or other natural surface.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The gradual shaping of a landscape by [[erosion]].^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To carve, cast or fashion stone, bronze or wood into three-dimensional form.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To represent in sculpture.^(AHD)

+ # To change the shape of, as by erosion.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[sculptural]]

+ * [[sculpturally]]

+ * [[resculpture]]

+ * [[sculpturesque]]

+ * [[soft sculpture]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sculpt]]

+ * [[sculptor]]

+ * [[scalpel]]

+ * [[shelf]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}