stencil
n
1 a device for applying a design, characters, etc., to a surface, consisting of a thin sheet of plastic, metal, cardboard, etc. in which the design or characters have been cut so that ink or paint can be applied through the incisions onto the surface
2 a decoration, design, or characters produced in this way
vb , -cils, -cilling, -cilled
(U.S.) , -cils, -ciling, -ciled tr
3 to mark (a surface) with a stencil
4 to produce (characters or a design) with a stencil
(C14 stanselen to decorate with bright colours, from Old French estenceler, from estencele a spark, from Latin scintilla)
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stenciller n