cut

verb

\ ˈkət

cut; cutting

Definition of cut

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to penetrate with or as if with an edged instrument cut one's hand with a knife

b : to hurt the feelings of Her sarcasm cut him to the quick.

c : to strike sharply with a cutting effect cut him across the legs with a whip

d : to strike (a ball) with a glancing blow that imparts a reverse spin cut a tennis ball with an inclined racket

e : to experience the growth of (a tooth) through the gum The toddler is cutting a tooth.

f : to harm (oneself) by making cuts or scratches on one's body The reasons given for self-inflicted violence indicate that it is a way of relieving intolerable feelings. When cutting themselves, women (and sometimes men) report that they do not feel any pain.— Deborah Feller

2a : 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

e : to remove (something, such as text or a picture) from a computer document and place it on the clipboard so that it can be pasted into another position, document, or program

3a : mow, reap cut hay

b(1) : to divide into parts with an edged tool cut bread

(2) : fell, hew cut timber

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 sharply The driver cut the steering wheel hard.

e : to go or pass around or about : bypass cut the checkout line

4a : 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.

5a : to make by or as if by cutting: such 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 (a song, a track, etc.) for a studio recording

c : to type on a stencil

d : edit sense 1b cut a motion picture

6a : stop, cease cut the nonsense

b : to refuse to recognize (an acquaintance) They cut her dead at the party.

c : to absent oneself from (something, such as a class)

d : to stop (a motor) by opening a switch

e : to stop the filming of (a motion-picture scene)

7a : to engage in (a frolicsome or mischievous action) … on summer nights strange capers are cut under the thin guise of a Christian festival.— Donald Culross 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

9a : to yield or accord to another : give cut me some slack

b : to fill out and sign (a check)

intransitive verb

1a : to function as or as if as an edged tool This knife cuts well.

b : to undergo incision or severance The cheese cuts easily.

c : to perform the operation of dividing, severing, incising, or intersecting The tailor is busy cutting.

d : to make a stroke with a whip, sword, or other weapon

e : to wound feelings or sensibilities remarks that cut

f : to cause constriction or chafing a coat that cuts at the armpits

g : to be of effect, influence, or significance an analysis that cuts deep

2a(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

3a : to proceed obliquely (see oblique entry 1 sense 1) 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 The driver cut across three lanes of traffic.

e : to make an abrupt transition from one sound or image to another in motion pictures, radio, or television The film cuts from the ballroom to the garden.

f : to make a sudden transition or imaginative leap The story cuts to 1917.

4 : to stop photographing motion pictures The director yelled "Cut!"

5 : to advance by skipping or bypassing another cut to the front of the line

6 : to engage in self-harm by making cuts or scratches on one's body middle school students reporting they knew of several classmates who cut

cut a deal

: to negotiate an agreement The band cut a deal with the recording company.

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 tele

cut

Definition of cut

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