The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word ENGRAVING
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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More clues leading to the result ENGRAVING
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The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ENGRAVING mean?
ENGRAVING verb- To carve text or symbols into (something), usually for the purposes of identification or art.
- To carve (something) into a material.
- To put in a grave, to bury.
- The practice of incising a design onto a hard, flat surface, by cutting grooves into it.
- The art of producing an image from an engraved printing form, typically made of copper.
- A print produced from an engraving.
- The art of drawing music notation at high quality, particularly on a computer.