Reengraving

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Cutting or inscribing a design onto a surface a second time, often to restore worn lettering or an image
2. Making a fresh engraved impression on metal, stone or another hard material that had been engraved before
3. The act of carving an image or text anew into a plate or surface so that it is clear once more

Etymology: "Reengraving" is the present participle and gerund of "reengrave", which is formed from the prefix "re-", meaning again, and "engrave", so the sense is simply cutting or carving something anew. "Engrave" itself comes from the Old French "engraver", built on "graver" to carve, and the word's basic idea of incising a surface has stayed constant through its long history. Adding "re-" to a verb like this is a productive English habit, so the form needs no special story of its own.