Carved, cut, or engraved into a hard surface like metal or glass; or having a very clear, lasting impression.
From Dutch 'etsen' (to eat), referring to how acid 'eats' into metal to create an etching. First used in English in the 1600s for the printing technique.
The metaphorical use is really interesting—when we say a memory is 'etched in our minds,' we're comparing how an image is permanently carved into a metal plate to how traumatic or important moments stay permanently carved into our brains.
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