cut

English

Etymology

From Middle English cutten, kitten, kytten, ketten (“to cut”) (compare Scots kut, kit (“to cut”)), of North Germanic origin, from Old Norse kytja, kutta, from Proto-Germanic *kutjaną, *kuttaną (“to cut”), of uncertain origin, perhaps related to Proto-Germanic *kwetwą (“meat, flesh”) (compare Old Norse kvett (“meat”)). Akin to Middle Swedish kotta (“to cut or carve with a knife”) (compare dialectal Swedish kåta, kuta (“to cut or chip with a knife”), Swedish kuta, kytti (“a knife”)), Norwegian Bokmål kutte (“to cut”), Norwegian Nynorsk kutte (“to cut”), Icelandic kuta (“to cut with a knife”), Old Norse kuti (“small knife”), Norwegian kyttel, kytel, kjutul (“pointed slip of wood used to strip bark”).

Displaced native Middle English snithen (from Old English snīþan; compare German schneiden), which still survives in some dialects as snithe or snead. See snide.

Adjective sense of "drunk" (now rare and now usually used in the originally jocular derivative form of half-cut) dates from the 17th century, from cut in the leg, to have cut your leg, euphemism for being very drunk.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kʌt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Audio (AUS)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ʌt

Verb

cut (third-person singular simple present cuts, present participle cutting, simple past cut or (nonstandard) cutted, past participle cut or (archaic) cutten)

1. (transitive) To incise, to cut into the surface of something.
   1. To perform an incision on, for example with a knife.
      • c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:

        You must cut this flesh from off his breast.

   2. To divide with a knife, scissors, or another sharp instrument.

      Would you please cut the cake?

      • 1725, Homer, “Book III”, in [Alexander Pope], transl., The Odyssey of Homer. […], volume I, London: […] Bernard Lintot, →OCLC:

        Before the whistling winds the vessels fly, / With rapid swiftness cut the liquid way.

      • 2012 May 8, Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi, Ottolenghi: The Cookbook‎^[1], Random House, →ISBN, page 79:

        First, marinate the tofu. In a bowl, whisk the kecap manis, chilli sauce, and sesame oil together. Cut the tofu into strips about 1cm thick, mix gently (so it doesn't break) with the marinade and leave in the fridge for half an hour.

   3. To form or shape by cutting.

      I have three diamonds to cut today.

      • c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:

        Why should a man, whose blood is warm within, / Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster

      • 1667, John Milton, “Book VIII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:

        loopholes cut through thickest shade

   4. (slang) To wound with a knife.
      • 1990, Stephen Dobyns, The house on Alexandrine:

        We don't want your money no more. We just going to cut you.

   5. (intransitive) To engage in self-harm by making cuts in one's own skin.

      The patient said she had been cutting since the age of thirteen.

   6. To deliver a stroke with a whip or like instrument to.
      • 1908, W[illiam] B[lair] M[orton] Ferguson, chapter IV, in Zollenstein, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:

        “My Continental prominence is improving,” I commented dryly. ¶ Von Lindowe cut at a furze bush with his silver-mounted rattan. ¶ “Quite so,” he said as dryly, his hand at his mustache. “I may say if your intentions were known your life would not be worth a curse.”

   7. To wound or hurt deeply the sensibilities of; to pierce.

      Sarcasm cuts to the quick.

      • 1829, Elijah Hoole, Personal Narrative of a Mission to the South of India, from 1820 to 1828:

        she feared she should laugh to hear an European preach in Tamul , but on the contrary , was cut to the heart by what she heard

   8. To castrate or geld.

      to cut a horse

   9. To interfere, as a horse; to strike one foot against the opposite foot or ankle in using the legs.

   • Incise definition

     To cut in or into with a sharp instrument; to carve; to engrave.

   • Perform definition

     To do (something); to execute. (1 of 10 perform definitions)

   • Incision definition

     A cut, especially one made by a scalpel or similar medical tool in the context of surgical operation; the scar resulting from such a cut. (1 of 4 incision definitions)

   • Knife definition

     A utensil or a tool designed for cutting, consisting of a flat piece of hard material, usually steel or other metal (the blade), usually sharpened on one edge, attached to a handle. The blade may be pointed for piercing. (1 of 3 knife definitions)

   • Divide definition

     To split or separate (something) into two or more parts. (1 of 13 divide definitions)

   • Scissors definition

     A tool used for cutting thin material, consisting of two crossing blades attached at a pivot point in such a way that the blades slide across each other when the handles are closed. (1 of 8 scissors definitions)

   • Sharp definition

     Terminating in a point or edge, especially one that can cut easily; not dull, obtuse, or rounded. (1 of 24 sharp definitions)

   • Instrument definition

     A device used to produce music. (1 of 7 instrument definitions)

   • Form definition

     To do with shape.

     1. The shape or visible structure of a thing or person.
     2. A thing that gives shape to other things as in a mold.
     3. Regularity, beauty, or elegance.
     4. The inherent nature of an object; that which the mind itself contributes as the condition of knowing; that in which the essence of a thing consists.

     (1 of 26 form definitions)

   • Shape definition

     The status or condition of something (1 of 9 shape definitions)

   • Wound definition

     (1 of 4 wound definitions)

   • Self-Harm definition

     The deliberate non-suicidal injuring of one's own body.

   • Stroke definition

     An act of hitting; a blow, a hit. (1 of 40 stroke definitions)

   • Whip definition

     A lash; a pliant, flexible instrument, such as a rod (commonly of cane or rattan) or a plaited or braided rope or thong (commonly of leather) used to create a sharp "crack" sound for directing or herding animals. (1 of 17 whip definitions)

   • Castrate definition

     A castrated man; a eunuch.

   • Geld definition

     Money.

     1. A payment.
     2. In particular, (money paid as) a medieval form of land tax.

     (1 of 3 geld definitions)

   • Interfere definition

     To get involved or involve oneself, causing disturbance. (1 of 4 interfere definitions)
2. (intransitive) To admit of incision or severance; to yield to a cutting instrument.
   • 1858, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., chapter XI, in The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table, The Deacon's Masterpiece:

     The panels of white-wood that cuts like cheese, / But lasts like iron for things like these;

3. (transitive, social) To separate, remove, reject or reduce.
   1. To separate or omit, in a situation where one was previously associated.

      Travis was cut from the team.

   2. To abridge or shorten a work; to remove a portion of a recording during editing.
   3. To reduce, especially intentionally.

      They're going to cut salaries by fifteen percent.

      • 2013 May 17, George Monbiot, “Money just makes the rich suffer”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 23, page 19:

        In order to grant the rich these pleasures, the social contract is reconfigured. The welfare state is dismantled. Essential public services are cut so that the rich may pay less tax.

      • 2022 January 12, Nigel Harris, “Comment: Unhappy start to 2022”, in RAIL, number 948, page 3:

        The principle of prioritising longer-distance trains by cutting services to wayside stations (often leading directly to their closure) is not new.

   4. To absent oneself from (a class, an appointment, etc.).

      I cut fifth period to hang out with Angela.

      • 1833, Thomas Hamilton, Men and Manners in America:

        An English tradesman is always solicitous to cut the shop whenever he can do so with impunity.

   • Separate definition

     Apart from (the rest); not connected to or attached to (anything else). (1 of 2 separate definitions)

   • Remove definition

     To delete. (1 of 9 remove definitions)

   • Reject definition

     To refuse to accept. (1 of 3 reject definitions)

   • Reduce definition

     To bring down the size, quantity, quality, value or intensity of something; to diminish, to lower. (1 of 18 reduce definitions)

   • Omit definition

     To leave out or exclude. (1 of 4 omit definitions)

   • Previous definition

     Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order. (1 of 2 previous definitions)

   • Associated definition

     connected with something or another person. (1 of 2 associated definitions)

   • Abridge definition

     To deprive; to cut off. (1 of 6 abridge definitions)

   • Shorten definition

     To make shorter; to abbreviate. (1 of 8 shorten definitions)

   • Recording definition

     present participle and gerund of record

   • Editing definition

     present participle and gerund of edit
4. (transitive, social) To ignore as a social rebuff or snub.

   Synonym: spear

   After the incident at the dinner party, people started to cut him on the street.

   • 1903, Samuel Barber, The Way of All Flesh chapter 73:

     At first it had been very painful to him to meet any of his old friends, [...] but this soon passed; either they cut him, or he cut them; it was not nice being cut for the first time or two, but after that, it became rather pleasant than not [...] The ordeal is a painful one, but if a man's moral and intellectual constitution are naturally sound, there is nothing which will give him so much strength of character as having been well cut.

   • 1973, Gore Vidal, Burr :

     The ordinary people greet him (Aaron Burr) warmly while the respectable folk tend to cut him dead.

   • 27 September 2013, Kane, Kathryn, The Regency Redingote Blog The Cut: The Ultimate & Final Social Weapon:

     The Monthly Magazine, Or, British Register for 1798 included an explanation by a reader of how the cut was carried out in his college days in a lengthy letter to the editor, signed by the pseudonym "Ansonius." In his rambling letter, Ansonius noted that when he was at college, " … if a man passed an old acquaintance wittingly, without recognizing him, he was said— ‘To cut him.’" Ansonius then went on to explain the performance of the cut and noted that for a time the term "to spear" was used instead of to cut. However, that term did not remain long in use, and this act was generally known as "the cut" ever after.

   • Ignore definition

     To deliberately not listen or pay attention to. (1 of 4 ignore definitions)

   • Rebuff definition

     A sudden resistance or refusal. (1 of 2 rebuff definitions)

   • Snub definition

     Conspicuously short. (1 of 3 snub definitions)

   • Spear definition

     A long stick with a sharp tip used as a weapon for throwing or thrusting, or anything used to make a thrusting motion. (1 of 9 spear definitions)
5. (intransitive, film) To make an abrupt transition from one scene or image to another.

   The camera then cut to the woman on the front row who was clearly overcome and crying tears of joy.

   • Film definition

     A thin layer of some substance; a pellicle; a membranous covering, causing opacity. (1 of 5 film definitions)

   • Scene definition

     The location of an event that attracts attention. (1 of 12 scene definitions)
6. (transitive, film) To edit a film by selecting takes from original footage.

   • Edit definition

     A change to the text of a document. (1 of 6 edit definitions)

   • Takes definition

     third-person singular simple present indicative of take

   • Footage definition

     An amount of film or tape that has been used to record something. (1 of 2 footage definitions)
7. (transitive, computing) To remove (text, a picture, etc.) and place in memory in order to paste at a later time.

   Select the text, cut it, and then paste it in the other application.

   • Computing definition

     The process or act of calculation. (1 of 3 computing definitions)

   • Memory definition

     The ability of the brain to record information or impressions with the facility of recalling them later at will. (1 of 8 memory definitions)

   • Paste definition

     A soft moist mixture, in particular:

     1. One of flour, fat, or similar ingredients used in making pastry.
     2. Pastry.
     3. One of pounded foods, such as fish paste, liver paste, or tomato paste.
     4. One used as an adhesive, especially for putting up wallpapers, etc.

     (1 of 9 paste definitions)
8. (intransitive) To enter a queue in the wrong place.

   One student kept trying to cut in front of the line.

   • 2010 June 8, guy & rOdd, “Brevity”, in gocomics.com‎^[2]:

     Excuse me, do you mind if I cut?!

   • Enter definition

     To go or come into an enclosed or partially enclosed space. (1 of 14 enter definitions)

   • Queue definition

     A line of people, vehicles or other objects, in which one at the front end is dealt with first, the one behind is dealt with next, and so on, and which newcomers join at the opposite end (the back). (1 of 5 queue definitions)
9. (intransitive) To intersect or cross in such a way as to divide in half or nearly so.

   This road cuts right through downtown.

   • 2011 January 18, Daniel Taylor, “Manchester City 4 Leicester City 2”, in Guardian Online:

     Neither Joleon Lescott nor Vieira appeared to make any contact with Dyer as he cut between them.

   • 2013 August 16, John Vidal, “Dams endanger ecology of Himalayas”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 10, page 8:

     Most of the Himalayan rivers have been relatively untouched by dams near their sources. Now the two great Asian powers, India and China, are rushing to harness them as they cut through some of the world's deepest valleys.

   • Intersect definition

     To cut into or between; to cut or cross mutually; to divide into parts. (1 of 2 intersect definitions)

   • Cross definition

     A geometrical figure consisting of two straight lines or bars intersecting each other such that at least one of them is bisected by the other. (1 of 22 cross definitions)

   • Half definition

     One of two usually roughly equal parts into which anything may be divided, or considered as divided. (1 of 9 half definitions)
10. (transitive, cricket) To make the ball spin sideways by running one's fingers down the side of the ball while bowling it. (Can we add an example for this sense?)

    • Cricket definition

      (1 of 6 cricket definitions)

    • Finger definition

      A slender jointed extremity of the human hand, exclusive of the thumb. (1 of 35 finger definitions)
11. (transitive, cricket) To deflect (a bowled ball) to the off, with a chopping movement of the bat.

    • Deflect definition

      To make (something) deviate from its original path. (1 of 5 deflect definitions)

    • Off definition

      In a direction away from the speaker or other reference point. (1 of 5 off definitions)

    • Bat definition

      ISO 639-2 & ISO 639-5 language code for Baltic languages.
12. (intransitive) To change direction suddenly.

    The football player cut to his left to evade a tackle.

    • Direction definition

      A theoretical line (physically or mentally) followed from a point of origin or towards a destination. May be relative (e.g. up, left, outbound, dorsal), geographical (e.g. north), rotational (e.g. clockwise), or with respect to an object or location (e.g. toward Boston). (1 of 6 direction definitions)
13. (transitive, intransitive) To divide a pack of playing cards into two.

    If you cut then I'll deal.

    • Pack definition

      A bundle made up and prepared to be carried; especially, a bundle to be carried on the back, but also a load for an animal, a bale. (1 of 19 pack definitions)

    • Playing Card definition

      Any of the usually 52 rectangular pieces of card used to play numerous games, featuring either one to 10 pips or a picture and belonging of one of four suits.
15. (transitive, slang) To make, to negotiate, to conclude.

    I'll cut a check for you.

    I didn't deserve it, but he cut me a deal.

    to cut a deal, to cut deals

    to cut a fantastic deal, to cut a raw deal

    • Make definition

      To create.

      1. To build, construct, produce, or originate. (1 of 41 make definitions)

    • Negotiate definition

      To confer with others in order to come to terms or reach an agreement. (1 of 6 negotiate definitions)

    • Conclude definition

      To end; to come to an end. (1 of 9 conclude definitions)
16. (transitive, slang) To dilute or adulterate something, especially a recreational drug.

    The best malt whiskies are improved if they are cut with a dash of water.

    The bartender cuts his beer to save money and now it's all watery.

    Drug dealers sometimes cut cocaine with lidocaine.

    • Dilute definition

      To make thinner by adding solvent to a solution, especially by adding water. (1 of 4 dilute definitions)

    • Adulterate definition

      Corrupted or made impure by being mixed with something else; adulterated. (1 of 2 adulterate definitions)
17. (transitive) To exhibit (a quality).
    • 2011 January 25, Paul Fletcher, “Arsenal 3-0 Ipswich (agg. 3-1)”, in BBC:

      Arsenal were starting to work up a head of steam and Tractor Boys boss Paul Jewell cut an increasingly frustrated figure on the touchline.

18. (transitive) To stop, disengage, or cease.

    Synonym: cut out

    The schoolchildren were told to cut the noise.

    Cut the engines when the plane comes to a halt!

    • Stop definition

      ITU & IMO radiotelephony clear code (spelling alphabet name) for full stop.

    • Disengage definition

      A circular movement of the blade that avoids the opponent's parry

    • Cease definition

      To stop. (1 of 3 cease definitions)

    • Cut Out definition

      Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see cut,‎ out. To separate into parts with or as if with a sharp-edged instrument; sever. (1 of 10 cut out definitions)
19. (sports) To drive (a ball) to one side, as by (in billiards or croquet) hitting it fine with another ball, or (in tennis) striking it with the racket inclined.

    • Sports definition

      plural of sport

    • Ball definition

      A solid or hollow sphere, or roughly spherical mass. (1 of 25 ball definitions)

    • Fine definition

      Senses referring to subjective quality.

      1. Of superior quality. (1 of 18 fine definitions)
21. (bodybuilding) To lose body mass, aiming to keep muscle but lose body fat.

    Coordinate term: bulk

    • Bodybuilding definition

      A sport in which the aesthetics of muscular development is the basis for competition. (1 of 2 bodybuilding definitions)

    • Lose definition

      To cause (something) to cease to be in one's possession or capability due to unfortunate or unknown circumstances, events or reasons. (1 of 15 lose definitions)

    • Body Mass definition

      Alternative spelling of bodymass

    • Muscle definition

      A contractile form of tissue which animals use to effect movement. (1 of 5 muscle definitions)

    • Body Fat definition

      Alternative spelling of bodyfat

    • Bulk definition

      Size, specifically, volume. (1 of 12 bulk definitions)
22. To perform (a dancing movement etc.).

    to cut a caper

    • 1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard:

      'Choke, chicken, there's more a-hatching,' said Miss Mag, in a sort of aside, and cutting a flic-flac with a merry devilish laugh, and a wink to Puddock.

    • Cut A Caper definition

      To frolic or romp; to dance about in a frantic or ridiculous manner.

Synonyms

• See Thesaurus:cut

Troponyms

• chop, hack, slice, trim

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• copy
• paste

Adjective

cut (comparative more cut, superlative most cut)

1. (participial adjective) Having been cut.
2. Reduced.

   The pitcher threw a cut fastball that was slower than his usual pitch.

   Cut brandy is a liquor made of brandy and hard grain liquor.

   • Pitcher definition

     One who pitches anything, as hay, quoits, a ball, etc. (1 of 6 pitcher definitions)

   • Fastball definition

     Any of the variations of high speed pitches thrown in baseball (1 of 2 fastball definitions)

   • Pitch definition

     A sticky, gummy substance secreted by trees; sap. (1 of 3 pitch definitions)
3. (of a gem) Carved into a shape; not raw.

   • Carve definition

     To cut. (1 of 6 carve definitions)

   • Raw definition

     Not cooked. (1 of 11 raw definitions)
4. (Can we clean up⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) (cricket, of a shot) Played with a horizontal bat to hit the ball backward of point.

   • Horizontal definition

     Perpendicular to the vertical; parallel to the plane of the horizon; level, flat. (1 of 7 horizontal definitions)

   • Point definition

     A discrete division of something.

     1. An individual element in a larger whole; a particular detail, thought, or quality. (1 of 61 point definitions)
5. (bodybuilding) Having muscular definition in which individual groups of muscle fibers stand out among larger muscles.
   • 1988, Steve Holman, “Christian Conquers Columbus”, in Ironman, 47 (6): 28-34:

     Or how 'bout Shane DiMora? Could he possibly get rip-roaring cut this time around?

   • 2010, Bill Geiger, “6-pack Abs in 9 Weeks”, in Reps!, 17:106:

     That's the premise of the overload principle, and it must be applied, even to ab training, if you're going to develop a cut, ripped midsection.

   • Definition definition

     A statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol (dictionary definitions). (1 of 13 definition definitions)
6. (informal) Circumcised or having been the subject of female genital mutilation.

   • Circumcised definition

     Having had the foreskin of the penis excised. (1 of 2 circumcised definitions)

   • Female Genital Mutilation definition

     The complete amputation or partial cutting of the external female genitalia. (1 of 2 female genital mutilation definitions)
7. (Australia, New Zealand, slang) Emotionally hurt.

   • Hurt definition

     To cause (a person or animal) physical pain and/or injury. (1 of 4 hurt definitions)
9. (slang, New Zealand, formerly UK) Intoxicated as a result of drugs or alcohol.^[1]

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:drunk

   • 1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 51, in The History of Pendennis. […], volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC:

     I was dev’lish cut—uncommon—been dining with some chaps at Greenwich.

   • Intoxicated definition

     Stupefied by alcohol, drunk. (1 of 2 intoxicated definitions)

   • Drug definition

     A substance used to treat an illness, relieve a symptom, or modify a chemical process in the body for a specific purpose. (1 of 5 drug definitions)

   • Alcohol definition

     Any of a class of organic compounds (such as ethanol) containing a hydroxyl functional group (-OH). (1 of 4 alcohol definitions)

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

cut (countable and uncountable, plural cuts)

1. The act of cutting.

   He made a fine cut with his sword.

2. The result of cutting.

   a smooth or clear cut

   • Result definition

     To proceed, spring up or rise, as a consequence, from facts, arguments, premises, combination of circumstances, consultation, thought or endeavor. (1 of 4 result definitions)
4. An opening resulting from cutting; an incision or wound.

   Look at this cut on my finger!

5. A notch, passage, or channel made by cutting or digging; a furrow; a groove.

   a cut for a railroad

   • 1603, Richard Knolles, The Generall Historie of the Turkes, […], London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC:

     which great cut or ditch Sesostris […] purposed to have made a great deale wider and deeper.

   1. An artificial navigation channel as distinguished from a navigable river.

   • Navigation definition

     The theory, practice and technology of charting a course for a road vehicle, ship, aircraft, or spaceship. (1 of 4 navigation definitions)

   • Channel definition

     The physical confine of a river or slough, consisting of a bed and banks. (1 of 21 channel definitions)

   • Navigable definition

     Capable of being navigated; deep enough and wide enough to afford passage to vessels. (1 of 4 navigable definitions)

   • River definition

     A large and often winding stream which drains a land mass, carrying water down from higher areas to a lower point, oftentimes ending in another body of water, such as an ocean or in an inland sea. (1 of 5 river definitions)
6. A share or portion of profits.

   The bank robbers disbanded after everyone got their cut of the money.

   • 2022 April 6, Andrew R. Chow, “Inside Epic's Unreal Engine 5”, in Time‎^[3]:

     Starting today, UE5 is free to download and use, with Epic taking a 5% cut on products created with it only after they earn over $1 million in gross revenue.

   • Share definition

     A portion of something, especially a portion given or allotted to someone. (1 of 6 share definitions)

   • Portion definition

     An allocated amount. (1 of 6 portion definitions)

   • Profit definition

     Total income or cash flow minus expenditures. The money or other benefit a non-governmental organization or individual receives in exchange for products and services sold at an advertised price. (1 of 4 profit definitions)
7. A decrease.

   Antonym: hike (used in same contexts); increase

   The boss took a 5% pay cut.

   • Decrease definition

     Of a quantity, to become smaller. (1 of 2 decrease definitions)

   • Hike definition

     A long walk, usually for pleasure or exercise. (1 of 4 hike definitions)

   • Increase definition

     (of a quantity, etc.) To become larger or greater. (1 of 4 increase definitions)
8. (cricket) A batsman's shot played with a swinging motion of the bat, to hit the ball backward of point.

   • Batsman definition

     A player of the batting side now on the field. (1 of 5 batsman definitions)

   • Swing definition

     To rotate about an off-centre fixed point. (1 of 18 swing definitions)

   • Backward definition

     Situated toward or at the rear of something. (1 of 15 backward definitions)
9. (cricket) Sideways movement of the ball through the air caused by a fast bowler imparting spin to the ball.

   • Sideways definition

     plural of sideway

   • Movement definition

     (1 of 22 movement definitions)

   • Air definition

     The substance constituting Earth's atmosphere, particularly: (1 of 16 air definitions)

   • Fast Bowler definition

     A bowler who specialises in bowling the ball fast in cricket; as opposed to a spin bowler.

   • Impart definition

     To give or bestow (e.g. a quality or property). (1 of 5 impart definitions)

   • Spin definition

     To rotate, revolve, gyrate (usually quickly); to partially or completely rotate to face another direction. (1 of 18 spin definitions)
10. (sports) In lawn tennis, etc., a slanting stroke causing the ball to spin and bound irregularly; also, the spin thus given to the ball.

    • Lawn Tennis definition

      tennis played on a grass court
11. (golf) In a strokeplay competition, the early elimination of those players who have not then attained a preannounced score, so that the rest of the competition is less pressed for time and more entertaining for spectators.

    • Golf definition

      Alternative letter-case form of Golf of the ICAO/NATO radiotelephony alphabet.
12. (especially theater, film) A passage omitted or to be omitted from a play, movie script, speech, etc.

    The director asked the cast to note down the following cuts.

    • Theater definition

      A place or building, consisting of a stage and seating, in which an audience gathers to watch plays, musical performances, public ceremonies, and so on. (1 of 8 theater definitions)

    • Director definition

      One who directs; the person in charge of managing a department or directorate (e.g., director of engineering), project, or production (as in a show or film, e.g., film director). (1 of 6 director definitions)

    • Cast definition

      To move, or be moved, away.

      1. To throw.
      2. To throw forward (a fishing line, net etc.) into the sea.
      3. To throw down or aside.
      4. To throw off (the skin) as a process of growth; to shed the hair or fur of the coat.
      5. To remove, take off (clothes).
      6. To heave the lead and line in order to ascertain the depth of water.
      7. To vomit.
      8. To throw up, as a mound, or rampart.
      9. To throw out or emit; to exhale.

      (1 of 37 cast definitions)
13. (film) A particular version or edit of a film.

    the director's cut

14. (card games) The act or right of dividing a deck of playing cards.

    The player next to the dealer makes a cut by placing the bottom half on top.

    • Card Game definition

      Any of the many games played with playing cards.
15. (card games) The card obtained by dividing the pack.
16. The manner or style in which a garment or an article of clothing is fashioned.

    I like the cut of that suit.

    • c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene vii]:

      with eyes severe and beard of formal cut

    • Manner definition

      Mode of action; way of performing or doing anything (1 of 8 manner definitions)

    • Style definition

      Senses relating to a thin, pointed object.

      1. A sharp stick used for writing on clay tablets or other surfaces; a stylus; an instrument used to write with ink; a pen.
      2. A tool with a sharp point used in engraving; a burin, a graver, a stylet, a stylus.
      3. The gnomon or pin of a sundial, the shadow of which indicates the hour.
      4. The stalk that connects the stigma(s) to the ovary in a pistil of a flower. (1 of 15 style definitions)

    • Garment definition

      A single item of clothing. (1 of 3 garment definitions)

    • Article definition

      A piece of nonfictional writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, dictionary, encyclopedia, etc. (1 of 11 article definitions)

    • Clothing definition

      present participle and gerund of clothe

    • Fashioned definition

      simple past and past participle of fashion
17. A slab or slice, especially of meat.

    That’s our finest cut of meat.

    • 1919, Henry B[lake] Fuller, “Cope Amidst Cross-Purposes”, in Bertram Cope’s Year: A Novel, Chicago, Ill.: Ralph Fletcher Seymour, The Alderbrink Press, →OCLC, page 110:

      Cope pushed away his coffee-cup and asked the young Greek for a cut of pie.

    • Slab definition

      A large, flat piece of solid material; a solid object that is large and flat. (1 of 11 slab definitions)

    • Slice definition

      That which is thin and broad. (1 of 16 slice definitions)
18. (fencing) An attack made with a chopping motion of the blade, landing with its edge or point.

    • Fencing definition

      present participle and gerund of fence
19. A deliberate snub, typically a refusal to return a bow or other acknowledgement of acquaintance.
    • 1819, Washington Irving, (Rip Van Winkle)::

      Rip called him by name, but the cur snarled, showed his teeth, and passed on. This was an unkind cut indeed.

    • 1847 March 30, Herman Melville, Omoo: A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas; […], London: John Murray, […], →OCLC:

      After several experiences like this, I began to entertain a sort of respect for Kooloo, as quite a man of the world. In good sooth, he turned out to be one; in one week's time giving me the cut direct, and lounging by without even nodding. He must have taken me for part of the landscape.

    • Bow definition

      (1 of 16 bow definitions)
20. An unkind act; a cruelty.

    • Unkind definition

      Lacking kindness, sympathy, benevolence, gratitude, or similar; cruel, harsh or unjust; ungrateful. (1 of 3 unkind definitions)

    • Cruelty definition

      An indifference to suffering or pleasure in inflicting suffering. (1 of 2 cruelty definitions)
21. (slang) An insult
    • 1966-1969, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure

      We got out & there was a group of boppers, bout 25 of 'm in a group. They started yellin cuts, "queer" seemed to be the favorite they all began chanting it. "Hey, yer not gonna serve those queers, are ya Howie?"

    • Insult definition

      To be insensitive, insolent, or rude to (somebody); to affront or demean (someone). (1 of 4 insult definitions)
22. A definable part, such as an individual song, of a recording, particularly of commercial records, audio tapes, CDs, etc.

    The drummer on the last cut of their CD is not identified.

    • 1975, Billboard, volume 87, number 24, page 50:

      Best cuts: "The Evil Dude," "Kung Fu, Too!" "Mama Love," "New Orleans" (with a punchy vocal by Teresa Brewer).

    • Song definition

      (1 of 9 song definitions)

    • Commercial definition

      An advertisement in a common media format, usually radio or television. (1 of 4 commercial definitions)

    • Audio definition

      Focused on audible sound, as opposed to sight.

    • Tape definition

      Flexible material in a roll with a sticky surface on one or both sides; adhesive tape. (1 of 11 tape definitions)

    • Cd definition

      ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code for the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1997.
23. (archaeology) A truncation, a context that represents a moment in time when other archaeological deposits were removed for the creation of some feature such as a ditch or pit.

    • Archaeology definition

      The study of the past by excavation and analysis of its material remains:

      1. the actual excavation, examination, analysis and interpretation. (1 of 4 archaeology definitions)

    • Truncation definition

      The act of truncating or shortening (for example, words are shortened to form blend words or portmanteaus). (1 of 3 truncation definitions)

    • Deposit definition

      (1 of 8 deposit definitions)

    • Ditch definition

      A trench; a long, shallow indentation, as for irrigation or drainage. (1 of 2 ditch definitions)

    • Pit definition

      A hole in the ground. (1 of 22 pit definitions)
24. A haircut.

    • Haircut definition

      The act of cutting of the hair, often done professionally by a barber, hair stylist, or beautician. (1 of 4 haircut definitions)
25. (graph theory) The partition of a graph’s vertices into two subgroups.

    • Graph Theory definition

      The branch of mathematics dealing with the properties of graphs (networks of vertices and edges). (1 of 2 graph theory definitions)

    • Partition definition

      An action which divides a thing into parts, or separates one thing from another. (1 of 12 partition definitions)

    • Graph definition

      A data chart (graphical representation of data) intended to illustrate the relationship between a set (or sets) of numbers (quantities, measurements or indicative numbers) and a reference set, whose elements are indexed to those of the former set(s) and may or may not be numbers. (1 of 6 graph definitions)

    • Vertex definition

      The highest point, top or apex of something. (1 of 12 vertex definitions)
26. (Internet) A dividing line in a Tumblr post, the content below which is hidden until the reader reveals it.

    That's the TL;DR, anyway. You can find a more detailed version under the cut.

    • Internet definition

      The specific internet consisting of a global network of computers that communicate using Internet Protocol (IP) and that use Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) to identify the best paths to route those communications.

    • Tumblr definition

      A microblogging and social networking website founded in 2007.

    • Tl;Dr definition

      Alternative letter-case form of tl;dr
27. (rail transport) A string of railway cars coupled together, shorter than a train.
    • 1960 June, “Talking of Trains: The new Margam yard”, in Trains Illustrated, page 323:

      The shunter has a lightweight portable radio transmitter by which, as he uncouples an incoming train into cuts for marshalling, he informs the Traffic Office of the number of wagons in each cut and its siding; [...].

    • Rail Transport definition

      The transport of passengers and goods by means of wheeled vehicles specially designed to run on railways or railroads.
28. An engraved block or plate; the impression from such an engraving.

    a book illustrated with fine cuts

29. (obsolete) A common workhorse; a gelding.
    • 1613–1614, William Shakespeare, John Fletcher, “The Two Noble Kinsmen.”, in Fifty Comedies and Tragedies. […], [part 2], London: […] J[ohn] Macock [and H. Hills], for John Martyn, Henry Herringman, and Richard Marriot, published 1679, →OCLC, Act III, scene iv, page 436, column 2:

      He's buy me a whit Cut, forth for to ride

    • Workhorse definition

      A horse used primarily for manual labor; a draft horse. (1 of 2 workhorse definitions)

    • Gelding definition

      A castrated male horse. (1 of 3 gelding definitions)
30. (slang, dated) The failure of a college officer or student to be present at any appointed exercise.

    • College definition

      A corporate group; a group of colleagues. (1 of 16 college definitions)

    • Officer definition

      (1 of 9 officer definitions)

    • Student definition

      A person who studies or learns about a particular subject. (1 of 3 student definitions)
31. A skein of yarn.
    • 1632, North Riding Record:

      Two women for stealing 30 cuttes of linen yarn.

    • Skein definition

      (1 of 8 skein definitions)

    • Yarn definition

      A twisted strand of fiber used for knitting or weaving. (1 of 3 yarn definitions)
32. (slang, uncountable) That which is used to dilute or adulterate a recreational drug.

    Synonym: mix

    Don't buy his coke: it's full of cut.

    • Mix definition

      To stir together. (1 of 7 mix definitions)
33. (fashion) A notch shaved into an eyebrow.

    • Fashion definition

      A current (constantly changing) trend, favored for frivolous rather than practical, logical, or intellectual reasons. (1 of 5 fashion definitions)
34. (bodybuilding) A time period when one attempts to lose fat while retaining muscle mass.

    • Time Period definition

      The length of time during which an activity occurs or a condition remains. It may be measured either in seconds or in millions of years, depending upon the nature of the activity of condition being considered.

    • Attempt definition

      To try. (1 of 4 attempt definitions)

    • Fat definition

      ISO 639-2 & ISO 639-3 language code for Fante.

    • Retain definition

      1. Often followed by from: to hold back (someone or something); to check, to prevent, to restrain, to stop.
         1. To hold back (a pupil) instead of allowing them to advance to the next class or year; to keep back.
      2. Of a thing: to hold or keep (something) inside it; to contain.
         1. To hold back (tissue or a substance, especially urine) in the body or a body organ.
      3. To hold (something) secure; to prevent (something) from becoming detached or separated.
      4. To keep (something) in control or possession; to continue having (something); to keep back.
         1. To keep (something) in the mind; to recall, to remember.
      5. To keep (something) in place or use, instead of removing or abolishing it; to preserve.
      6. To engage or hire (someone), especially temporarily.
         1. To employ (someone, especially a lawyer) by paying a retainer (“fee one pays to reserve another person's time for services”); specifically, to engage (a barrister) by making an initial payment to secure their services if needed.
      7. To keep (someone) in one's pay or service; also, to maintain (someone) as a dependent or follower.
      8. To control or restrain (oneself); to exercise self-control over (oneself).
      9. To keep (someone) in custody; to prevent (someone) from leaving.
      11. To declare (a sin) not forgiven. (1 of 24 retain definitions)

    • Mass definition

      Matter, material.

      1. A quantity of matter cohering together so as to make one body, or an aggregation of particles or things which collectively make one body or quantity, usually of considerable size.
      2. Precious metal, especially gold or silver.
      3. The quantity of matter which a body contains, irrespective of its bulk or volume. It is one of four fundamental properties of matter. SI unit of mass: kilogram.
      4. A medicinal substance made into a cohesive, homogeneous lump, of consistency suitable for making pills; as, blue mass.
      5. A palpable or visible abnormal globular structure; a tumor.
      6. Excess body weight, especially in the form of muscle hypertrophy.
      7. Synonym of weight

      (1 of 13 mass definitions)
36. (slang) A hidden, secluded, or secure place.
    • 1992 September 22, Da Lench Mob (lyrics and music), “Guerillas in tha Mist” (track 6), in Guerillas in tha Mist‎^[4]:

      I'm laying in a cut 'bout to shoot me a mutt

    • 2008 March 9, David Simon, “-30-”, in The Wire, season 5, episode 10 (television production), spoken by Slim Charles (Anwan Glover), via HBO:

      You don't mind me askin', why you want to sell? I mean, even from inside here, you can take a slice for just layin' in the cut.

    • 2010 April 14, Wiz Khalifa, “In the Cut”, in Kush & Orange Juice‎^[5]:

      In the cut, in the cut, rolling doobies up

    • 2012, Honey Cocaine, In The Cut:

      Bitch I'm out, catch me chillin' in the cut. Me and my homies swag it out in the cut. It's a party going down in the cut.

    • 2016, Drake (lyrics and music), “Summer Sixteen"”:

      Famous as fuck, but I’m still in the cut when they round up the troops.

    • 2021, Redferrin, "Stuck":

      She got me stuck. Like a truck, deep mud, deep ruts, way out in the cut. She got me stuck. Even four-wheel drive won't work this time, yeah.

    • 2023 January 9th, Santana Hannah, in JOLLY, "Brits try REAL Southern Fried Chicken for the first time!", YouTube, 11:27:

      We're off the beaten path from River Street downtown. So, it's, we're back here in the cut.

37. (petrochemistry) The range of temperatures used to distill a particular mixture of hydrocarbons from crude oil.

    • Petrochemistry definition

      The branch of chemistry that deals with petroleum, natural gas and their derivatives.

    • Temperature definition

      A measure of cold or heat, often measurable with a thermometer. (1 of 6 temperature definitions)

    • Distill definition

      US standard spelling of distil.

    • Mixture definition

      The act of mixing. (1 of 7 mixture definitions)

    • Hydrocarbon definition

      A compound consisting only of carbon and hydrogen atoms.

    • Crude Oil definition

      Unrefined oil; as it is found underground, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons.

Derived terms

Translations