carving
UK[ˈkɑːvɪŋ]US[ˈkɑːrvɪŋ]
n
an object or pattern made by cutting a shape into wood or stone
n
the activity or skill of carving objects or patterns
Morpheme Breakdown
carve
ing
carve
cut
ing
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'carving' is a transparent english formation from the verb 'carve' and the nominalizing suffix '-ing'. the verb 'carve' itself has deep germanic roots, originating from the old english ceorfan, meaning "to cut, engrave," which is related to the old high german kerban (to notch) and the greek graphein (to write, scratch). the '-ing' suffix, also of old english origin, is a highly productive way to form nouns denoting the action or result of the verb. thus, the literal "act of cutting" evolved into the modern abstract term for both the skilled process of shaping material and the artistic object produced by that process.
Analysis
Structure: carve (cut) + ing (noun suffix)
carve (from old english ceorfan, meaning "to cut, carve, engrave"; a verb root). ing (from old english -ung, -ing, a suffix forming nouns from verbs, indicating the action, process, or result).
Examples
the intricate wood carving above the fireplace was over a century old.
she took a class in soapstone carving.
the museum has a fine collection of prehistoric bone carvings.