Emily Dickinson Lexicon

carve (-d), v. [OE ceorfan, corresponding to mod. Gk. kerben, notch, carve; cognate with Gk. γράφ-ειυ, to write, orig. to scratch or engrave.] (webplay: figures, take).

1. Engrave; write; [fig.] impress; instill.
2. Dissipate; dissolve; disperse; scatter.