Engrave

ETCH

["**Hint:** \"To carve a design into a surface, often with acid.\"\n\nThis hint guides the solver toward the action of engraving without repeating the original clue or giving away the answer directly. It provides a clearer, more descriptive phrasing while still requiring the solver to think of the specific term."]

The clue **"Engrave"** leads to the answer **"ETCH"** through a straightforward definition. "Etch" is a verb that means to engrave or carve a design into a surface, typically using acid or another corrosive substance. There is no wordplay or pun involved in this clue—it is a direct synonym-based definition where "engrave" serves as the definition for "etch." In crossword puzzles, especially in simpler or more accessible grids, clues like this often rely on basic synonyms rather than complex wordplay. The solver recognizes that "etch" is a common term for the process of engraving, making the connection clear and concise.