An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. The act or process of making designs or pictures on a metal plate, glass, etc., by the corrosive action of an acid instead of by a burin.
   

2. An impression, as on paper, taken from an etched plate.
   

3. The design so produced (Dictionary.com).
   

4. The act or process of cutting a smooth cross section of a → meteorite with → acid to reveal its → crystal structure.

See also: Verbal noun of → etch.