cut
verb
\ ËkÉt
\
\
cut;
cutting
Definition of cut
(Entry 1 of 3)
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.â Deborah Feller
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
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
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.
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
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.â Donald Culross Peattie
b
: to give the appearance or impression of
cut a fine figure
8
: to be able to manage or handle
âusually 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)
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
cut both ways
cut corners
cut ice
cut it
cut loose
cut one's teeth
: to negotiate an agreement
The band cut a deal with the recording company.
: to have both favorable and unfavorable results or implications
: to perform some action in the quickest, easiest, or cheapest way
: to be of importance
âusually used in negative constructions His opinion cuts no ice with me.
: to cut the mustard
1
: to free from control or restraint
cut us loose from the contract
2
: to act without restraint
enjoyed cutting loose at nightclubs
: to learn, do, or perform as a beginning or at the start of one's career
an actress who cut her teeth on tele