stencil
STEN-sil
/ˈstɛnsɪl/
A thin sheet of cardboard, plastic, or metal with a pattern or letters cut out of it, used to produce a design on a surface by applying ink or paint through the holes.
A stencil is used to apply color through a cutout, whereas a template is used to trace around an outline.
The story behind the word. The word 'stencil' has a surprisingly sparkling origin. It comes from the Old French 'estinceller', meaning 'to sparkle' or 'to paint with bright colors'. This was because early stenciling was used to apply bright, shimmering gold and silver patterns to manuscripts and playing cards.
Word relationships
- mask: A 'mask' covers an area to prevent paint from reaching it, while a 'stencil' has cutouts designed to let paint pass through to create a specific shape.
Commonly confused with
- template: A 'template' is a solid shape you trace around, while a 'stencil' is a hollowed-out sheet you paint through.
Word family
- stenciling (noun): The art or process of applying a design with a stencil.
Collocations
- plastic stencil
- stencil brush
- stencil pattern
- apply ink through a stencil
Example sentences
- "She used a plastic stencil to paint a neat border of ivy leaves along the top of the nursery wall." A tutorial on wall decoration.
- "By dabbing ink over the stencil, he created a perfectly uniform brick pattern on his scrapbook page." A description of a scrapbooking layout.
Memory hook
Think of a 'pen' and a 'pencil'. You use a 'stencil' with a 'pencil' to draw perfect shapes. Stencil has holes to paint through.
When not to use
Do not use 'stencil' when referring to a solid guide used only for cutting or tracing outlines.
Fun facts
- The famous street artist Banksy uses stencils because they allow him to paint highly detailed images incredibly quickly before authorities arrive.
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