cut
1cut
verb \ˈkət\cutcut·ting
Definition of CUT
transitive verb
1
a : to penetrate with or as if with an edged instrument b : to hurt the feelings of c : to strike sharply with a cutting effect d : to strike (a ball) with a glancing blow that imparts a reverse spin e : to experience the growth of (a tooth) through the gum
2
a : trim, pare <cut one's nails> b : to shorten by omissions <cut the manuscript> c : dilute, adulterate <cut the whiskey with water> d : to reduce in amount <cut costs>
3
a : mow, reap <cut hay> b (1) : to divide into parts with an edged tool <cut bread> (2) : fell, hew c (1) : to separate or discharge from an organization <cut them from the team> (2) : to single out and isolate <cut a calf out from the herd> d : to turn (as a steering wheel) sharply <the driver cut the wheel hard> e : to go or pass around or about : bypass <cut the checkout line>
4
a : to divide into segments <cut the cake> b : intersect, cross <one line cutting another> c : break, interrupt <cut our supply lines> d (1) : to divide (a deck of cards) into two portions (2) : to draw (a card) from the deck e : to divide into shares : split f : analyze, break down <any way you cut it, we won>
5
a : to make by or as if by cutting: as (1) : carve <cut stone> (2) : to shape by grinding <cut a diamond> (3) : engrave (4) : to shear or hollow out <cut a groove> b (1) : to sing, play, or act for the recording of <cut an album> <cut a commercial> (2) : to sing or play (as a song or a track) for a studio recording c : to type on a stencil d : edit 1b <cut a motion picture>
6
7
a : to engage in (a frolicsome or mischievous action) <on summer nights strange capers are cut under the thin guise of a Christian festival — D. C. Peattie> b : to give the appearance or impression of <cut a fine figure>
8
: to be able to manage or handle —usually used in negative constructions <can't cut that kind of work anymore>
9
a : to yield or accord to another : give <cut me some slack> b : to fill out and sign (a check)
intransitive verb
1
a : to function as or as if as an edged tool b : to undergo incision or severance <cheese cuts easily> c : to perform the operation of dividing, severing, incising, or intersecting d : to make a stroke with a whip, sword, or other weapon e : to wound feelings or sensibilities f : to cause constriction or chafing g : to be of effect, influence, or significance <an analysis that cuts deep>
2
a (1) : to divide a pack of cards especially in order to decide the deal or settle a bet (2) : to draw a card from the pack b : to divide spoils : split
3
a : to proceed obliquely from a straight course <cut across the yard> b : to move swiftly <a yacht cutting through the water> c : to describe an oblique or diagonal line d : to change sharply in direction : swerve e : to make an abrupt transition from one sound or image to another in motion pictures, radio, or television f : to make a sudden transition or imaginative leap <the story cuts to 1917>
4
: to stop photographing motion pictures
5
: to advance by skipping or bypassing another <cut to the front of the line>
— cut a deal
: to negotiate an agreement
— cut both ways
: to have both favorable and unfavorable results or implications
— cut corners
: to perform some action in the quickest, easiest, or cheapest way
— cut ice
: to be of importance —usually used in negative constructions <his opinion cuts no ice with me>
— cut it
: to cut the mustard
— cut loose
1
: to free from control or restraint <cut us loose from the contract>
2
: to act without restraint <enjoyed cutting loose at nightclubs>
— cut one's teeth
: to learn, do, or perform as a beginning or at the start of one's career <an actress who cut her teeth on television>
— cut the mustard
: to achieve the standard of performance necessary for success
— cut to the chase
: to get to the point
See Examples of CUT
- cutting a piece of string
- He uses the ax to cut wood.
- The meat is so tender you can cut it with a fork.
- Cut along the dotted line.
- The saw easily cuts through metal.
- She cut into the melon with a knife.
- I cut myself while shaving.
- I had a cut finger.
- We were fighting, and he tried to cut me with his knife.
- Pieces of broken glass cut her face and arms.
Origin of CUT
Middle English cutten
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to CUT
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