transitive verb cut, cutting cut′·ting

1. to make an opening in as with a sharp-edged instrument; pierce; incise; gash to pierce, hit sharply, constrict, etc. so as to hurt to hurt the feelings of to grow (a new tooth making its way through the gum)
2. to remove or divide into parts with a sharp-edged instrument; sever to carve (meat) to cause to fall by severing; fell; hew to mow or reap with a scythe, sickle, etc. to pass through or across; intersect; divide the path cuts the meadow diagonally
   1. to divide (a pack of cards) at random so as to rearrange the pack after the dealer has shuffled or so as to show a card to determine the dealer, partners, etc.
   2. to select (a card) at random from a pack, as by cutting the deck
   to castrate; geldInformal to pretend not to see or know (a person); snubInformal to stay away from (a school class, etc.) without being excusedInformal to cause to stop operating cut the engine☆ Slang to stop; discontinue cut the noise☆ Informal to discharge from a job, release from a sports team, etc.
3. to make less by or as by severing a part or parts; reduce; lessen; curtail to cut salaries to make shorter by severing the ends of (hair, branches, fingernails, etc.); trim; shear; pare☆ to dilute (alcohol, etc.) to dissolve or break up the fat globules of lye cuts grease
4. to make, do, form, or decorate by or as by cutting; specif.,
   1. to make (an opening, clearing, channel, etc.) by incising, drilling, hacking, or excavating
   2. to engrave; inscribe
   3. to type or otherwise mark (a stencil) for mimeographing
   4. to cut cloth so as to form the parts for (a garment)
   5. ☆ to edit (film) by deleting some scenes and assembling others into a desired sequence
   6. to hit, drive, or throw (a ball) so that it spins
   7. to cause (a wheel) to turn sharply
   8. ☆ to make a recording of (a speech, music, etc.) on (a phonograph record)
   9. to shape (a diamond), as by sawing or grinding

Etymology: ME cutten, kytten < Late OE *cyttan < Scand base seen in Swed dial., Ice kuta, to cut with a knife: the word replaced OE ceorfan (see carve), snithan, scieran (see shear) as used in its basic senses

intransitive verb

1. to do the work of a sharp-edged instrument; pierce, sever, gash, etc.
2. to do cutting; work as a cutter
3. to take cutting; be severed, etc. pine cuts easily
4. to use an instrument that cuts
5. to cause pain by or as by sharp, piercing, or lashing strokes the wind cut through his thin clothes
6. Informal to swing a bat, club, etc. at a ball
7. to change direction suddenly, as while running
8. to move swiftly
9. Film, TV, etc.
   1. to make a sudden change, as from one scene or character to another
   2. to end the filming or taping of a scene, as by shouting a command (cut!) or giving a sign

adjective

1. that has been cut
2. made, formed, or decorated by cutting
3. reduced; lessened
4. castrated
5. Bot. having an indented edge; incised, as some leaves or petals

noun

1. a cutting or being cut
2. a stroke or blow with a sharp-edged instrument, whip, etc.
3. 1. Informal a swing taken at a ball
   2. spin imparted to a ball, as by hitting the lower side of it
4. an opening, incision, wound, etc. made by a sharp-edged instrument
5. 1. the omission of a part
   2. the part omitted
6. a piece or part cut off or out; specif.,
   1. any of the segments of the carcass of a meat animal
   2. a slice from such a segment
7. the edge or outline of something cut
8. ☆
   1. the amount cut, as of timber
   2. a reduction; lessening; decrease
9. shortcut
10. a passage or channel cut or dug out or worn away
11. the style in which a thing is cut; fashion; form a stylish cut
12. an act, remark, etc. that hurts one's feelings
13. 1. a block or plate engraved for printing, or the impression made from it
    2. a printed picture, as in a newspaper, book, etc.

14. Etymology: < ? Welsh cwt, lot

    one of the bits of straw, stick, paper, etc. used in drawing lots to decide something
15. Informal the act of snubbing or ignoring
16. ☆ Informal an unauthorized absence from school, etc.
17. ☆ Informal a share, as of profits or loot
18. ☆ Informal a band () on a phonograph record
19. Film
    1. a sudden change from one image to another
    2. an assembled version of a movie a rough cut, final cut, etc.