woodblock
/ˈwʊd.blɒk/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
A block of wood used as a tool, support, or printing surface. It is often cut, carved, or shaped for a task.
- Place the pot on the woodblock.
- The artist carved the design into the woodblock.
- 2.
A print made from a carved block of wood. It refers to the image or artwork, not the block itself.
- The museum displayed an old woodblock.
- She collects Japanese woodblock prints.
Adinary Nuance
A woodblock is the actual piece of wood, while a woodcut is the image or print made from it. People often use woodblock in art, craft, and printing contexts. In modern English, it is more specific than block of wood, which can mean any wooden piece.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- khối gỗ
- Spanish
- bloque de madera
- Chinese
- 木块
- Japanese
- 木版
- Korean
- 목재 블록
Etymology
Woodblock is a compound of Old English wood and block. It has been used in English since the 1800s, especially for printing and carving.
Common phrases
woodblock printwoodblock carvingJapanese woodblock prints
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is woodblock the same as woodcut?
- No. A woodblock is the carved block. A woodcut is the print made from it.
- Is woodblock a common word?
- It is not very common in daily speech. You will see it more in art, printing, and museum writing.
- Can woodblock mean a musical instrument?
- Yes, in some contexts it can mean a percussion instrument made from wood.