Scribe
Scribe turns up in 2 fields: machine shop, woodworking. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Scribe in machine shop
To scratch a precise layout line into the surface of a workpiece.
To drag a hardened steel or carbide point across a metal surface to mark a physical line for machining or layout. Unlike ink or pencil, a scribed line cannot rub off and provides a physical groove that can catch a fingernail or guide a center punch. It is usually done over a coating of layout fluid to make the scratch highly visible.
"Coat that plate in Dykem and scribe your bolt hole locations before you bring it to the drill press."
Scribe in woodworking
To mark and cut a piece of wood so its edge perfectly matches an irregular surface.
Scribing is the process of transferring the exact profile of an uneven surface onto a mating piece of wood. A carpenter runs a compass or a specialized tool along the irregular wall or floor, drawing a parallel line onto the cabinet or trim piece. The wood is then cut or planed to that line, creating a tight fit without unsightly gaps.
"The plaster wall is severely bowed, so we'll have to scribe the cabinet stile to make it sit flush."