grafados

Grafados is a term used in Portuguese to describe inscriptions or lettering that has been carved, etched, or incised into a surface. The adjective derives from grafar, related to grafia and rooted in the broader idea of writing or inscribing by physical means, such as engraving on stone, metal, ceramic, or wood. In scholarly texts, grafados emphasizes the medium and technique of inscription rather than mere writing on the surface.

In epigraphy, archaeology, and related disciplines, inscriptions found on artifacts are described as grafadas when the characters are formed by engraving or cutting into the material. This contrasts with inscriptions that are painted, inlaid, or impressed, where different terminology may be used. The designation helps specialists classify artifacts, interpret dating and provenance, and understand script styles and linguistic features of the inscription.

Usage and context: grafados appears in descriptions, catalogues, and conservation reports of historical objects, monuments, gravestones, coins, and ceramic ware. It provides a concise way to indicate that the lettering is physically engraved rather than applied by other means. The plural grafados refers to multiple inscriptions that share this engraved characteristic.

Notes: grafado is less common in everyday language than gravado, which is more widely used for engravings in many Portuguese varieties. When encountered, the term grafados is typically confined to technical or scholarly contexts and should be interpreted within the discipline’s conventions. See also epigrafia, grafia, gravura.