Emboss

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -É’s

From Middle English embosen, from Old French embocer.

Full definition of emboss

Verb

1. (transitive) To mark or decorate with a raised design or symbol.The papers weren't official until the seal had been embossed on them.
2. (transitive) To raise in relief from a surface, as an ornament, a head on a coin, etc.
• DrydenThen o'er the lofty gate his art embossed
  Androgeo's death.
• Sir Walter ScottExhibiting flowers in their natural colour embossed upon a purple ground.

Perhaps from - + Old French bos, bois ("wood"). Compare imbosk.

Verb

1. (obsolete) of a hunted animal: to take shelter in a wood or forest
2. (obsolete) to drive (an animal) to extremity; to exhaust, to make foam at the mouth
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.11:And as it commonly happens, that when the Stag begins to be embost, and finds his strength to faile-him, having no other remedie left him, doth yeeld and bequeath himselfe unto us that pursue him, with teares suing to us for mercie ....
3. (obsolete) To hide or conceal in a thicket; to imbosk; to enclose, shelter, or shroud in a wood.
• Miltonin the Arabian woods embossed
4. (obsolete) to surround; to ensheath; to immerse; to beset
• SpenserA knight her met in mighty arms embossed.

Anagrams

• besoms