A thin sheet with a cut-out design, used to create patterns by applying paint or ink through the openings.
From Old French 'estenceler' meaning 'to sparkle' or 'to cover with stars', possibly related to the way paint appears in small dots through the cut holes. The word evolved through Middle English 'stansell'.
Stencils were revolutionary for mass production of identical designs - ancient civilizations used them to mark pottery and textiles, and they became crucial during wartime for quickly marking military equipment and supplies with identifying symbols.
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