Definition of the word stencil

The word "stencil" has its roots in the 18th century. It originated from the French word "stenciller", which is derived from the Flemish words "stint" meaning "to prick" and "leen" meaning "to stretch". The term referred to the process of pricking or piercing designs onto paper or fabric to create a resist pattern for painting or printing. The first stencils were handmade by punching holes into a sheet of paper or metal, which allowed paint or ink to pass through and create a design. The word "stencil" emerged in the late 18th century as a noun, referring to the resulting sheet of paper or metal with the pierced design. Over time, the term "stencil" has evolved to encompass various materials and techniques, including modern stencils made from plastic or Mylar, as well as digital stencils used for computer-aided design and printing. Despite these changes, the word "stencil" remains closely tied to its origins in the art of pricking and piercing to create designs.