chisel

1. (intransitive) To use a chisel.Synonyms: chip#Verbintransitive

2. (transitive) To work something with a chisel.Examples: "She chiselled a sculpture out of the block of wood."Synonyms: chip#Verbtransitive

3. (transitive, dated) To barge in on (something); to intrude on (something).datedtransitive

4. (transitive, figurative) To make small changes to (something), bit by bit, resulting in change over time.Examples: "Laws that protect the environment are being chiseled away."Synonyms: chip awayfigurativelytransitive

5. (ambitransitive, informal) To beg or pressure somebody into giving up (something); to haggle excessively; to cheat; to obtain something from (someone) by cheating.Examples: "He's managed to chisel a couple dollars from somewhere."; "She can always chisel whatever she needs from her father."; "She's always either chiseling or groveling, it seems."ambitransitiveinformal