Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CARVE, v.t. [Sax. ceorfan, cearfan; D. kerven; G. kerben; Dan. karver; L. carpo. See Ar. خَرَبَ charaba, and خَرَفَ karafa, Heb. הרף, and Ch. כרב. Class Rb, No. 26, 27, 30.]

1. To cut into small pieces or slices, as meat at table.
2. To cut wood, stone or other material into some particular form, with an instrument, usually a chisel; to engrave; to cut figures or devices on hard materials.
3. To make or shape by cutting; as, to carve an image.
4. To apportion; to distribute; to provide at pleasure; to select and take, as to one's self, or to select and give to another. – South.
5. To cut; to hew. – Shak. To carve out, is to cut out, or to lay out, by design; to plan.