Carve cross, removing each end (4)
I believe the answer is:
etch
'carve' is the definition.
(to etch is to carve into a material)
'cross removing each end' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'cross' could be 't' (shape) and 't' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ech' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for etch that I've seen before include "Carve or engrave into surface" , "Draw on metal with acid" , "Imprint vividly" , "Make a deep impression" , "Engrave (glass/metal)" .)