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cut

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Cut means to divide with a sharp instrument.

(verb)

An example of cut is to use scissors to divide a piece of paper in half.

The definition of cut is having been divided by a sharp object or having been reduced.

(adjective)

An example of cut is a flower that has had its stem removed with scissors.
An example of cut is a football team that has had three players removed by the coach.

Cut is defined as the act or result of removing or dividing with a sharp object.

(noun)

An example of cut is a slice in the finger from a piece of paper.

See cut in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb cut, cutting

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)
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.
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
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

Origin: 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

to do the work of a sharp-edged instrument; pierce, sever, gash, etc.
to do cutting; work as a cutter
to take cutting; be severed, etc.: pine cuts easily
to use an instrument that cuts
to cause pain by or as by sharp, piercing, or lashing strokes: the wind cut through his thin clothes
Informal to swing a bat, club, etc. at a ball
to change direction suddenly, as while running
to move swiftly
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

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

noun

a cutting or being cut
a stroke or blow with a sharp-edged instrument, whip, etc.
1. Informal a swing taken at a ball
2. spin imparted to a ball, as by hitting the lower side of it
an opening, incision, wound, etc. made by a sharp-edged instrument
1. the omission of a part
2. the part omitted
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
the edge or outline of something cut
☆
1. the amount cut, as of timber
2. a reduction; lessening; decrease
shortcut
a passage or channel cut or dug out or worn away
the style in which a thing is cut; fashion; form: a stylish cut
an act, remark, etc. that hurts one's feelings
1. a block or plate engraved for printing, or the impression made from it
2. a printed picture, as in a newspaper, book, etc.
Origin: < ? Welsh cwt, lot
one of the bits of straw, stick, paper, etc. used in drawing lots to decide something
Informal the act of snubbing or ignoring
☆ Informal an unauthorized absence from school, etc.
☆ Informal a share, as of profits or loot
☆ Informal a band () on a phonograph record
Film
1. a sudden change from one image to another
2. an assembled version of a movie: a rough cut, final cut, etc.

See cut in American Heritage Dictionary 4

cut

verb cut cut, cutting cut·ting, cuts

verb, transitive

To penetrate with a sharp edge; strike a narrow opening in.
To separate into parts with or as if with a sharp-edged instrument; sever: cut cloth with scissors.
To sever the edges or ends of; shorten: cut one's hair.
To mow, reap, or harvest: cut grain; cut grass.
To fell by sawing; hew.
To have (a new tooth) grow through the gums.
a. To form or shape by severing or incising: a doll that was cut from paper.
b. To form or shape by grinding: cut a diamond.
a. To form by penetrating, probing, or digging: cut a trench.
b. To exhibit the appearance or give the impression of: cuts a fine figure on the dance floor.
a. To separate from a main body; detach: cut a limb from a tree.
b. To separate from a group: cut a calf from a herd.
c. To discharge from a group or number: had to cut six players from the team.
To pass through or across; cross: a sailboat cutting the water.
Games To divide (a deck of cards) into two parts, as in completing a shuffle or in exposing a card at random.
To reduce the size, extent, or duration of; curtail or shorten: cut a payroll; cut a budget; cut the cooking time in half.
a. To remove or delete: cut a line from a poem.
b. Computer Science To remove (a segment) from a document or graphics file for storage in a buffer.
To lessen the strength of; dilute: cut whiskey with water.
To dissolve by breaking down the fat of: Soap cuts grease.
To injure the feelings of; hurt keenly.
To refuse to speak to or recognize; snub: cut me dead at the party.
To fail to attend purposely: cut a class.
Informal To cease; stop: cut the noise; cut an engine.
Sports To strike (a ball) so that it spins in a reverse direction.
21.
a. To perform: cut a caper.
b. To make out and issue: cut a check to cover travel expenses.
22. Slang To be able to manage; handle successfully: couldn't cut the long hours anymore.
23. To stop filming (a movie scene).
24.
a. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).
b. To make a recording of.
25. To edit (film or recording tape).
26. Vulgar Slang To expel (a discharge of intestinal gas).

verb, intransitive

To make an incision or a separation: Cut along the dotted line.
To allow incision or severing: Butter cuts easily.
To function as a sharp-edged instrument.
a. To remove part of something, such as a text or film.
b. Computer Science To remove a part of a document or graphics file and store it in a buffer.
To grow through the gums. Used of teeth.
To injure someone's feelings: a remark that cut without mercy.
To change direction abruptly: Cut to the left at the next intersection.
To go directly and often hastily: cut across a field.
Games To divide a pack of cards into two parts, especially in order to make a chance decision or selection.
To make an abrupt change of image or sound, as in filming: cut from one shot to another.
To be very astute and penetrating: an analysis that cuts deep.

noun

The act of cutting.
The result of cutting, especially an opening or wound made by a sharp edge.
A part that has been cut from a main body: a cut of beef; a cut of cloth.
A passage made by digging or probing.
The elimination or removal of a part: a cut in a speech.
A reduction: a cut in salary.
Sports The remainder of contestants in a competition, especially in golf, after some have been eliminated: did very well but still missed the cut.
The style in which a garment is cut: a suit of traditional cut.
A haircut.
Informal A portion of profits or earnings; a share.
A wounding remark; an insult.
An unexcused absence, as from school or a class.
A step in a scale of value or quality; degree: a cut above the average.
Printing
a. An engraved block or plate.
b. A print made from such a block.
Sports A stroke that causes a ball to spin in a reverse direction.
Baseball A swing of a bat.
Games The act of dividing a deck of cards into two parts, as before dealing.
One of the objects used in drawing lots.
An abrupt change of image or sound, as between shots in a film.
A transition from one scene to another in a film, video, or television program.
21. A movie at a given stage in its editing: approved the final cut for distribution.
22. A single selection of music from a recording, especially a phonograph recording.

adjective

Having the ends or edges cut: admired his newly cut hair.
Having been cut or clipped off: cut grass that blew in the wind.
Printing Having the page edge slit or trimmed. Used of a book.
Ground to a specific shape: cut gemstones.
Slang Circumcised. Used of a man or boy.

Phrasal Verbs: cut back To shorten by cutting; prune. To reduce or decrease: cut back production. cut down To kill or strike down. To alter by removing extra or additional fittings: cut down a car for racing. To reduce the amount taken or used: cutting down on one's intake of rich foods. cut in To move into a line of people or things out of turn. To interrupt: During the debate my opponent kept cutting in. To interrupt a dancing couple in order to dance with one of them. To connect or become connected into an electrical circuit. To mix in with or as if with cutting motions: Measure out the flour and use a pair of knives to cut the shortening in. To include, especially among those profiting. cut off To separate from others; isolate. To stop suddenly; discontinue. To shut off; bar. To interrupt the course or passage of: The infielder cut off the throw to the plate. To interrupt or break the line of communication of: The telephone operator cut us off. To disinherit: cut their heirs off without a cent. cut out To remove by or as if by cutting. To form or shape by or as if by cutting. To take the place of; supplant. To suit or fit by nature: I'm not cut out to be a hero. To assign beforehand or by necessity; predetermine: We've got our work cut out for us. To deprive: felt cut out of all the fun. To stop; cease. Informal To depart hastily. Chiefly Southern U.S. To turn off (a light or television set). cut up Informal To behave in a playful, comic, or boisterous way; clown. To criticize severely.

Origin: Middle English cutten.

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