Definition of: stencil

(sten′səl) noun
1. A thin sheet or plate in which a pattern is cut by means of spaces or dots, through which applied paint or ink penetrates to a surface beneath.
2. A decoration or the like produced by stenciling.
—v.t. ·ciled or ·cilled, ·cil·ing or ·cil·ling To mark with a stencil. [Prob. ME stansel decorate with many colors <OF estenceler, ult. <L scintilla a spark]
—sten′cil·er or sten′cil·ler noun
STENCIL