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  3. Poetry & Literature

encaustiquer

English translation: encaustic

19:22 May 31, 2010
French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
French term or phrase: encaustiquer
"Dresser une carapace puissante, marteler la douceur du plomb, encaustiquer, déshabiller les couleurs, laisser seulement subsister l’émouvant murmure d’une polychromie incertaine"

Is encaustic ever used as a verb in English?
kashew
France
Local time: 11:15
English translation:encaustic
Explanation:
It may be waxing as Tony suggests, and certainly has this meaning in relation to making fine art prints. But encaustic is also a painting technique. My Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Art Tems defines it as "a painting technique which originated in ancient times, using pigments mixed with hot wax as a binder. Synonym "cerography".

HTH

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Note added at 13 hrs (2010-06-01 08:45:24 GMT)
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It may not be appropriate for your context here, but in answer to your question about whether it can be used as a verb, I think it may be possible, but "encaustic painting" is certainly used.
Selected response from:

Evans (X)
Local time: 10:15
Grading comment
I think the technical term is suitably vague!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3waxing / polishing
Tony M
4encaustic
Evans (X)
3refining/polishing
Verginia Ophof
3caustic etching
Carol Gullidge


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
refining/polishing


Explanation:
suggestion

Verginia Ophof
Belize
Local time: 03:15
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 16
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55 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
caustic etching


Explanation:
I think this could be it, but more context (ie, what is he doing?)
Caustic etching seems to be performed on aluminium, but I don't know if this rules out any other substances...
Here are 2 patents:

Caustic etching of aluminum with matte finish and low waste ...
Patent Claims: WE CLAIM: 1. A process for etching an aluminum or aluminum alloy work piece to obtain a desired finish from bright to matte, comprising the ...
www.patentstorm.us/patents/5091046/claims.html - Cached - Similar
Caustic etching of aluminum with matte finish and low waste ...
by RF Hunter - 1992 - Related articles
A process for etching aluminum in caustic solution capable of providing a consistently uniform matte finish like that of the never dump process, ...
www.freepatentsonline.com/5091046.html

Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:15
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 80

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Alison Sabedoria (X): I've never seen "encaustiquer" used for this.
16 hrs
  -> it was a bit of a guess, albeit an inspired one as I thought at the time :)
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
waxing / polishing


Explanation:
In everyday contexts where I've seen this used, it had nothing to do with 'caustic' whatever, but simply meant waxing (fine oak furniture, for example) (the dictionary definition given by R=C)

I can't help wondering, if there is any literal element of a metal sculpture about this, whether perhaps 'burnishing' mightn't be more appropriate...? thinking of bronzes, but I guess it would apply to lead too!

Tony M
France
Local time: 11:15
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 128

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  chaplin
57 mins
  -> Merci, Ségolène !
agree  Stephanie Frederick: Yes, wax! http://www.granddictionnaire.com/
4 hrs
  -> Thanks, ssmed!
neutral  Carol Gullidge: not a comment on yr answer (you may well be right!), but to ssmed: I can't find encaustiquer in the GD! If I could, I'd post an Agree here!
8 hrs
  -> Try the noun form 'encaustique' ;-) But I don't think this is referring to the very specific painting technique, but rather in a more general sense...
agree  Alison Sabedoria (X)
14 hrs
  -> Thanks, W/E!
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13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
encaustic


Explanation:
It may be waxing as Tony suggests, and certainly has this meaning in relation to making fine art prints. But encaustic is also a painting technique. My Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Art Tems defines it as "a painting technique which originated in ancient times, using pigments mixed with hot wax as a binder. Synonym "cerography".

HTH

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 hrs (2010-06-01 08:45:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It may not be appropriate for your context here, but in answer to your question about whether it can be used as a verb, I think it may be possible, but "encaustic painting" is certainly used.

Evans (X)
Local time: 10:15
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 48
Grading comment
I think the technical term is suitably vague!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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